敬意

• Pinyin: jìng yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 敬 = reverence; 意 = 音 (sound/word) + 心 (heart) — what the heart means or intends

Meaning

Respect; esteem; a feeling of reverence toward someone.

A formal noun meaning the feeling or expression of deep respect. Often used in formal toasts, tributes, speeches, and written commendations. Phrases like 致以敬意 (to express respect/esteem) and 表达敬意 are standard in ceremony and correspondence. More ceremonious than 尊重 (respect as a noun).

Examples

1. 我向所有奋战在一线的医护人员致以最崇高的敬意。 I pay the highest respect to all the medical workers fighting on the front lines.
2. 这部纪录片以独特的方式向那个时代的无名英雄表达了深深的敬意。 This documentary pays deep tribute to the unsung heroes of that era in a unique way.
3. 他特地从海外飞回来参加恩师的葬礼，以此表达对恩师的敬意。 He flew back from overseas specifically to attend his mentor's funeral, as a way of expressing his profound respect.

Usage Guide

Context: ceremony, tribute, correspondence, speech

Tone: solemn and respectful

Do Say

• 请允许我代表全体成员向您致以最诚挚的敬意。(Please allow me to express the most sincere respect to you on behalf of all members.)
• 这项奖项是我们对创始人最好的敬意。(This award is our finest tribute of respect to the founder.)

Don't Say

• 我对这顿饭充满敬意。(敬意 applies to persons or their contributions — not to food or objects)

Origin & History

敬 (to respect) + 意 (feeling, intention, meaning). Together: the feeling of respect. A formal classical compound widely used in ceremonial and literary Chinese.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal