郑重

• Pinyin: zhèng zhòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 郑 = 关 + 阝 (the state of Zheng — known for formality); 重 = weighty/serious

Meaning

Solemn; serious and earnest. Conveying gravity, formality, and sincere intent in words or actions.

Used for formal announcements, serious commitments, and weighty declarations. Common collocations include 郑重声明 (solemn statement), 郑重承诺 (solemn promise), and 郑重其事 (treating something with great seriousness).

Examples

1. 公司郑重声明，从未授权任何第三方代理销售。 The company solemnly states that it has never authorized any third party to act as a sales agent.
2. 他郑重地向她求婚，单膝跪地献上钻戒。 He proposed to her in a solemn, heartfelt way—kneeling on one knee and presenting a diamond ring.
3. 毕业典礼上，校长郑重地将学位证书授予每一位毕业生。 At the graduation ceremony, the principal solemnly presented degree certificates to each graduate.

Usage Guide

Context: announcements, ceremonies, commitments

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 我郑重承诺，绝不辜负大家的信任与期望。(I solemnly promise that I will never betray everyone's trust and expectations.)
• 他郑重其事地打开信封，宣读获奖名单。(He solemnly opened the envelope and read out the list of winners.)

Don't Say

• 我郑重地吃早饭 — 郑重 is for serious, formal occasions; using it for mundane activities sounds absurd

Origin & History

郑 (earnest/careful — the ancient state of Zheng was known for formal rituals) + 重 (weighty/serious)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal