zing1 biu2旌表
Jyutpingzing1 biu2
Yalejīng bíu
Definition
To officially commend, honor, or confer public recognition on someone for their virtue or loyalty.
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How it's used
Refers specifically to the historical practice of the imperial government publicly honoring individuals for exceptional moral conduct, such as extreme filial piety or chastity. It carries a heavy sense of formal, state sanctioned recognition that is rarely used in modern contexts outside of historical discussions or period dramas.
Examples
The emperor personally commended his filial piety.
Did they receive any commendation from the imperial court?
Related words
Common phrases
to commend a chaste widow
to commend filial piety
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general word for praise, but it is strictly limited to formal, institutionalized recognition rather than everyday compliments.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
