zyun1 ging3尊敬
Jyutpingzyun1 ging3
Yalejyūn ging
Definition
To respect, honor, or venerate someone of higher status, senior standing, or noble character.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Carries a formal and serious tone that is rarely used in casual peer to peer interactions. It implies a sense of hierarchy or moral admiration rather than just liking someone. When talking about friends or equals, people typically use 尊重 instead.
Examples
We should respect our elders.
Related words
Common phrases
respect one's elders
respect one's teacher
Common mistake
Learners often use this for general respect between friends, but it sounds overly stiff or distant in those contexts. Use 尊重 for mutual respect or professional boundaries, and reserve 尊敬 for elders, mentors, or figures of authority.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
