隆重

• Pinyin: lóng zhòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 隆 = 阜 + 生 (elevated/flourishing); 重 = 人 + 里 (weighty, bearing burden)

Meaning

Grand; solemn; elaborate and ceremonious. Used to describe events, occasions, or ceremonies carried out with great formality and importance.

A high-register adjective/adverb used for important state events, official openings, wedding ceremonies, and commemorations. Implies both the scale of the occasion and the reverence with which it is conducted. Commonly appears as 隆重举行 (to be held grandly) or 隆重开幕 (to open ceremoniously).

Examples

1. 这次峰会在北京人民大会堂隆重开幕，来自数十个国家的领导人出席了典礼。 The summit opened with great ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, with leaders from dozens of countries attending.
2. 学校为退休多年的创校校长举办了一场隆重的纪念活动，感谢他的毕生贡献。 The school held a grand commemorative event for its founding principal, who had been retired for many years, to honor his lifelong contributions.
3. 婚礼仪式布置得格外隆重，花团锦簇，来宾无不为之赞叹。 The wedding was arranged with exceptional grandeur—flowers everywhere—and the guests were full of admiration.

Usage Guide

Context: ceremony, government, events

Tone: solemn

Do Say

• 国庆节庆典在天安门广场隆重举行，场面壮观，令人振奋。(The National Day ceremony was held grandly at Tiananmen Square — the spectacle was magnificent and inspiring.)
• 公司为创始人举办了一场隆重的告别晚宴，以表彰其数十年的卓越贡献。(The company held a grand farewell dinner for its founder in recognition of his outstanding contributions over several decades.)

Don't Say

• 将隆重用于轻松随意的场合 — 隆重 implies great formality and solemnity; it is out of place at casual gatherings or everyday events (Don't use 隆重 for casual or informal occasions — it implies significant formality and is out of place at everyday events)

Origin & History

隆 (prosperous/grand) + 重 (weighty/important)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal