慎 (shèn) - Cautious, careful, prudent & to be wary

慎Tone 4

shèn ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

慎 · shèn

Cautious, careful, prudent;

to be wary;

to take care.

Cautious, careful, prudentto be waryto take care.

Usage highlights

Cautious and prudentBe careful with wordsBe careful with actionsSolemn and cautiousDiscreet and prudentPrudent and self

Synonyms

  • 谨— cautious, careful
  • 小心— careful, cautious

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Be cautious in your actions (慎行).
  • He is a prudent person (谨慎的人).
  • Please be careful with your words (慎言).
  • A cautious and far-sighted approach (审慎的态度).

Collocations

  • Cautious and prudent(谨慎)
  • Be careful with words(慎言)
  • Be careful with actions(慎行)
  • Solemn and cautious(慎重)
  • Discreet and prudent(审慎)
  • Prudent and self-restrained(慎独)

Idioms

  • Be cautious at the start and respectful at the end(慎始敬终)
  • Discreet in solitude (a Confucian self-cultivation concept)(慎独)
  • Be circumspect and far-sighted(谨小慎微)
  • Be cautious in words and actions(谨言慎行)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Highly valued in Confucian ethics as a key virtue for self-cultivation and moral conduct.
  • The concept of '慎独' (discreet in solitude) emphasizes maintaining moral integrity even when unobserved.
  • Often used in naming to impart values of thoughtfulness, responsibility, and prudence.

FAQ