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敬意 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
敬意jìngyìrespectHSK 7, unknown, 25 strokes, rank #7554, Very Hard
敬意jìngyìtributeHSK 7, unknown, 25 strokes, rank #7554, Very Hard
jìngyì(jing4yi4)jing yi T4
  1. 1respect
  2. 2tribute
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March 24, 2026

敬意jìngyì(jing4yi4)

敬意 (jìng yì) means respect or tribute, often expressed towards someone in a position of authority or admiration. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as speeches, letters, or ceremonies, to convey honor and esteem.

Strokes25Frequency#7554DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, showing 敬意 is crucial in hierarchical relationships, such as between students and teachers or younger and older individuals. It reflects the Confucian value of filial piety and respect for elders.

Memory Tip

Think of 敬 (jìng) as a person bowing respectfully, with the radical for 'to salute' on the left. The character 意 (yì) resembles a heart and a mind, indicating the heartfelt intention behind showing respect.

Meanings of 敬意

jìngyì(jing4yi4)
1respect
2tribute
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About 敬意

敬意Simplified
25Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 敬意

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AI Study Notes for 敬意

Quick Contrast

尊重 (zūnzhòng) vs 敬意 (jìngyì): use 敬意 when expressing formal respect or tribute, while 尊重 is broader and can apply to general respect in various contexts.

Usage Notes

敬意 is typically used in formal situations, so avoid using it in casual conversations. A common mistake is to use it interchangeably with other words for respect, like 尊敬 (zūn jìng), which is more general. Be mindful of using the correct tone, especially the 4th tone in '敬'.

HSK Study Tips

Although 敬意 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it relates to the HSK Level 5 word 尊敬 (zūn jìng), which also conveys respect. Students should focus on the nuances of respect in different contexts, such as formal vs. informal.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 敬意 with 尊重 (zūn zhòng), which means 'to respect' but doesn't carry the same connotation of tribute. For example, saying '我对他有敬意' is correct, but mixing it with casual language can sound awkward.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 敬意

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Component Characters

敬jìngto respect
HSK 712 strokes攵
View full entry
意yìItaly
HSK 313 strokes心
View full entry

How to say respect in Chinese

“respect” in Chinese is敬意jìngyì

敬意 (jìng yì) means respect or tribute, often expressed towards someone in a position of authority or admiration. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as speeches, letters, or ceremonies, to convey honor and esteem.

When to use 敬意

敬意 is typically used in formal situations, so avoid using it in casual conversations. A common mistake is to use it interchangeably with other words for respect, like 尊敬 (zūn jìng), which is more general. Be mindful of using the correct tone, especially the 4th tone in '敬'.

敬意 or something close to it

尊重 (zūnzhòng) vs 敬意 (jìngyì): use 敬意 when expressing formal respect or tribute, while 尊重 is broader and can apply to general respect in various contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 敬意 with 尊重 (zūn zhòng), which means 'to respect' but doesn't carry the same connotation of tribute. For example, saying '我对他有敬意' is correct, but mixing it with casual language can sound awkward.

Write 敬意

敬
意

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Cultural Notes for 敬意

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, respect is often expressed more casually, whereas in Chinese culture, it is deeply embedded in social hierarchy and formalities.

Frequently Asked Questions about 敬意

Use 敬意 in formal writing or speeches when you want to show deep respect or tribute to someone.

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