HSK 4, q, 12 strokes, radical 寸, rank #5486, Medium
尊
zūn
of a senior generation
HSK 4, q, 12 strokes, radical 寸, rank #5486, Medium
尊
zūn
to honor
HSK 4, q, 12 strokes, radical 寸, rank #5486, Medium
尊
zūn
to respect
HSK 4, q, 12 strokes, radical 寸, rank #5486, Medium
尊
zūn
honorific
HSK 4, q, 12 strokes, radical 寸, rank #5486, Medium
尊
zūn
classifier for cannons and statues
HSK 4, q, 12 strokes, radical 寸, rank #5486, Medium
尊
zūn
ancient wine vessel
HSK 4, q, 12 strokes, radical 寸, rank #5486, Medium
尊
zūn
to honor, to respect, to venerate
HSK 4, q, 12 strokes, radical 寸, rank #5486, Medium
zūn(zun1)zun T1
1senior
2of a senior generation
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March 24, 2026
尊zūn(zun1)
The character 尊 (zūn) primarily denotes respect, honor, or veneration, often in the context of seniority or authority. It is commonly used in formal situations to show deference to elders or in honorific titles. Additionally, 尊 can refer to specific cultural items, such as ancient wine vessels, indicating both respect and tradition within Chinese culture.
Strokes12Radical寸Frequency#5486DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, showing respect to elders is a fundamental value, encapsulated in concepts like 尊老爱幼 (respect the elderly and love the young). This character embodies that cultural ethos and is often invoked in family and societal contexts.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise elder sitting on a throne (the shape of the character 尊 resembles a throne) being honored by everyone around them. The sound 'zūn' can remind you of 'zooming in' on someone important, emphasizing their status and the respect they command.
Meanings of 尊
zūn(zun1)
1senior
2of a senior generation
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 尊
尊Simplified
12Strokes
寸Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#5486Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4
Podcast: 尊
Podcast: 尊
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AI Study Notes for 尊
Quick Contrast
敬 (jìng) — use 尊 (zūn) when emphasizing respect due to seniority or authority, while 敬 (jìng) focuses more on the act of showing respect or politeness.
Usage Notes
尊 is often used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations unless appropriate. Common collocations include 尊敬 (respect) and 尊重 (to honor). Pay attention to the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely, but in this case, 'zūn' is consistently first tone.
HSK Study Tips
While 尊 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with HSK 4 and above words that relate to respect and social hierarchy, such as 敬 (jìng - to respect). Focus on recognizing its usage in formal language and understanding its cultural significance.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 尊 with 赞 (zàn - to praise), mistakenly using 尊 in contexts where praise is intended. For example, saying '我尊他' (I respect him) when one means '我赞美他' (I praise him) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 尊
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 尊 (zūn) primarily denotes respect, honor, or veneration, often in the context of seniority or authority. It is commonly used in formal situations to show deference to elders or in honorific titles. Additionally, 尊 can refer to specific cultural items, such as ancient wine vessels, indicating both respect and tradition within Chinese culture.
When to use 尊
尊 is often used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations unless appropriate. Common collocations include 尊敬 (respect) and 尊重 (to honor). Pay attention to the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely, but in this case, 'zūn' is consistently first tone.
尊 or something close to it
敬 (jìng) — use 尊 (zūn) when emphasizing respect due to seniority or authority, while 敬 (jìng) focuses more on the act of showing respect or politeness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 尊 with 赞 (zàn - to praise), mistakenly using 尊 in contexts where praise is intended. For example, saying '我尊他' (I respect him) when one means '我赞美他' (I praise him) is incorrect.
Write 尊
尊
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Practice writing 尊 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 尊
尊 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 8 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.
He was now a teacher and a respectable member of the community.
10
一小伙人试图推倒一尊塑像。
yī xiǎo huǒ rén shì tú tuī dǎo yī zūn sù xiàng。
A small crowd attempted to pull down a statue.
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Cultural Notes for 尊
💡Did you know?
In traditional Chinese culture, showing respect to elders is paramount. The character 尊 embodies this value, reflecting the Confucian principle of filial piety.
Word Family of 尊
Compounds18
遵zun1to observe
蹲dun1to crouch
鳟zun1barbel
樽zun1goblet, jar, jug; lush, drunk
鐏
鱒zun1barbel
僔
噂
墫
壿
撙zun3to cut down, to reduce, to regulate; to rein in spending
燇
嶟
澊
竴
繜
罇
譐
Words Containing This Character20
尊重zūnzhòngto esteem
尊敬zūnjìngto respect
尊zūnsenior
尊严zūnyándignity尊嚴
自尊zìzūnego
尊贵zūnguìrespected尊貴
自尊心zìzūnxīnself-respect
令尊Your esteemed father (honorific)
天尊(honorific appellation of a deity)
尊崇to revere
尊称title尊稱
独尊to be dominant獨尊
尊驾you尊駕
养尊处优to live like a prince (idiom)養尊處優
尊长one's superior尊長
屈尊to deign
妄自尊大ridiculous self-importance (idiom); arrogance
尊老爱幼respect the old and cherish the young尊老愛幼
尊容august countenance
尊卑social ranking
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 尊
What does 遵 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 尊
尊 (zūn) and 敬 (jìng) both convey respect, but 尊 often implies a higher level of deference towards someone of seniority. 敬 is more commonly used in daily expressions of respect, such as '敬请' (please) or '敬爱' (beloved).
Yes, 尊 is still used in modern Chinese, particularly in formal contexts. It appears in titles, honorifics, and literature, reflecting its importance in expressing respect and status.
尊 (zūn) is a Chinese character that means 'to honor' or 'to respect'. It can also refer to someone of a senior generation or status. Additionally, it is used as a classifier for items like cannons and statues, emphasizing their significance.
You can use 尊 (zūn) in sentences to show respect or honor, such as saying '我尊敬我的老师' (I respect my teacher). It can also be used in formal expressions or titles to show deference to someone of higher status.
You can say '我尊敬我的老师' (I respect my teacher) to show proper usage in a respectful context.
No, it can also refer to objects or titles, such as in the phrase '尊贵的客人' (honored guest).
Common phrases include 尊重 (to respect) and 尊严 (dignity).
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