忠于

• Pinyin: zhōng yú
• Hanzi breakdown: 忠 = 中 + 心 (devoted heart); 于 = preposition marking object of loyalty

Meaning

To be loyal to; to be faithful to. Devoted allegiance to a person, principle, or cause.

Takes an object directly: 忠于国家 (loyal to the country), 忠于职守 (faithful to one's duties), 忠于自己 (true to oneself). Common in formal pledges and oaths. Part of the expression 忠于职守 (devoted to one's duties).

Examples

1. 科学家应当忠于事实，不受外界压力影响研究结论。 Scientists should be faithful to the facts and not let outside pressure influence their conclusions.
2. 他一生忠于职守，从未因私利而违背职业操守。 He was devoted to his duties all his life and never compromised professional ethics for personal gain.
3. 艺术家要忠于自己的内心，创作真正有灵魂的作品。 Artists should be true to their inner selves and create works with real soul.

Usage Guide

Context: oaths, duties, principles

Tone: solemn

Do Say

• 记者的职责是忠于真相，客观报道事实。(A journalist's duty is to be faithful to the truth and report facts objectively.)
• 婚姻誓言要求双方忠于彼此，相守一生。(Marriage vows require both parties to be faithful to each other for life.)

Don't Say

• 我忠于了他 — 忠于 does not take 了; it describes an ongoing state, not a completed action

Origin & History

忠 (loyal) + 于 (to/towards)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal