unknown, 9 strokes, radical 矛, rank #67448, Very Hard
矜
jīn
to esteem
unknown, 9 strokes, radical 矛, rank #67448, Very Hard
jīn(jin1) T1
1to pity, to sympathize, to feel sorry for
2to boast
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March 24, 2026
矜jīn(jin1)
The character 矜 (jīn) primarily means to pity or sympathize with someone. It can also carry the nuance of boasting or esteeming oneself, highlighting a duality in its usage. Common contexts include expressing empathy in social situations or discussing someone’s pride.
Strokes9Radical矛Frequency#67448DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the expression of sympathy is highly valued, particularly in community and familial contexts. Using 矜 can indicate a deeper understanding of social responsibilities and emotional connections.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'jin' (like 'jinx') that brings tears of sympathy when you see someone in a tough situation. The character 矜 has a radical that looks like a person (亻) standing next to a mountain (巾), symbolizing someone standing strong, yet feeling pity for those below.
Meanings of 矜
jīn(jin1)
1to pity, to sympathize, to feel sorry for
2to boast
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 矜
矜Simplified
9Strokes
矛Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 矜
Podcast: 矜
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AI Study Notes for 矜
Quick Contrast
怜 (lián) vs 矜 (jīn): Use 矜 when emphasizing a sense of pride or self-esteem in addition to pity, while 怜 focuses solely on feelings of compassion.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'jin' (like 'jinx') that brings tears of sympathy when you see someone in a tough situation. The character 矜 has a radical that looks like a person (亻) standing next to a mountain (巾), symbolizing someone standing strong, yet feeling pity for those below.
Usage Notes
This character is used in more formal contexts, often in literature or academic discussions about emotions. A common mistake is confusing it with similar-sounding words; ensure you use 矜 specifically for pity or esteem. Phrases like 矜恤 (jīn xù) mean to show pity.
HSK Study Tips
Although 矜 is not included in the HSK levels, it is important for learners to recognize its emotional depth. Connect it with other emotional words such as 同情 (tóng qíng, to sympathize) and 自豪 (zì háo, to boast) to understand its usage better.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the expression of sympathy is highly valued, particularly in community and familial contexts. Using 矜 can indicate a deeper understanding of social responsibilities and emotional connections.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 矜 with similar sounding characters like 斤 (jīn, weight), leading to misunderstandings. Be careful to use 矜 only when discussing feelings of sympathy or esteem.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 矜
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Grammar Patterns of 矜
矜 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
英国男人常被认为是____持而冷漠的。
British men are often seen as being reserved and unemotional.
Example Sentences for 矜 (4)
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1
英国男人常被认为是矜持而冷漠的。
yīng guó nán rén cháng bèi rèn wéi shì jīn chí ér lěng mò de。
British men are often seen as being reserved and unemotional.
2
她小心翼翼地在红帆布垫上坐下，膝盖矜持地并拢着。
tā xiǎo xīn yì yì dì zài hóng fān bù diàn shàng zuò xià， ， xī gài jīn chí dì bìng lǒng。
She sat down cautiously on the red canvas cushions, knees modestly together.
3
我们离城越近他也越发矜持.
wǒ mén lí chéng yuè jìn tā yě yuè fā jīn chí.
His correctness grew on him as we neared the city.
4
她的迟钝, 尽管显而易见, 却不惹嫌,因为其中并不包含骄矜自负的成份.
tā de chí dùn, , jìn guǎn xiǎn ér yì, jiàn , què bù, rě xián , yīn wéi qí zhōng bìng bù bāo hán jiāo jīn zì fù.
Her folly, though evident, was not disgusting because it was not conceited.
Cultural Notes for 矜
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the expression of sympathy is highly valued, particularly in community and familial contexts. Using 矜 can indicate a deeper understanding of social responsibilities and emotional connections.
Word Family of 矜
Words Containing This Character5
矜持reserved
矜jīnto boast
骄矜haughty驕矜
矜贵high-born矜貴
自矜to boast
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 矜持 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 矜
Common phrases include 矜恤 (jīn xù) for showing pity and 矜持 (jīn chí) for being reserved or modest.
It is primarily used in written contexts, especially in literature or formal speeches.
It is pronounced as 'jīn', with a high-level tone.
