尊严

• Pinyin: zūn yán
• Hanzi breakdown: 尊 = 酉 + 寸 (ritual vessel + inch — to revere); 严 = 口 + 厂 (mouth + cliff — strict/solemn)

Meaning

Dignity; self-respect. The quality of being worthy of respect and honour, especially in relation to one's personal integrity and rights.

A core concept in ethics, human rights, and social relations. Used in contexts ranging from personal pride and self-worth to institutional dignity and national sovereignty. Frequently appears in discourse on human rights, labour relations, and interpersonal boundaries.

Examples

1. 每一个人无论身处何种境遇，都有权利维护自己的基本尊严，任何形式的凌辱与歧视都不可接受。 Every person, no matter what circumstances they are in, has the right to protect their basic dignity; any form of humiliation or discrimination is unacceptable.
2. 这项劳动保护法规的出台，旨在切实保障工人在职场中的合法权益与应有尊严。 The introduction of this labor protection regulation is intended to effectively safeguard workers' lawful rights and the dignity they deserve in the workplace.
3. 国家尊严不容侵犯，面对外国势力的无理挑衅，政府作出了坚定而有力的回应。 National dignity must not be violated; in the face of unreasonable provocations by foreign forces, the government made a firm and forceful response.

Usage Guide

Context: ethics, human rights, social relations, law

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 医护人员在为临终患者提供照护时，应始终将维护其个人尊严放在首位，给予充分的人文关怀。(When providing care for terminally ill patients, medical staff should always prioritise protecting their personal dignity and offering full humanistic care.)
• 他宁愿放弃这份高薪工作，也不愿以牺牲自己的尊严为代价换取上司的认可。(He would rather give up this high-paying job than earn his superior's approval at the cost of his own dignity.)

Don't Say

• 这件衣服很有尊严 — 尊严 refers to sentient beings or institutions, not objects; for elegant objects use 高雅 or 庄重

Origin & History

尊 (to respect/revere) + 严 (serious/strict/dignity)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal