祗 (zhī) - to respect & reverent

祗Tone 1

zhī ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical: 礻

丈志

祗 · zhī

to respect;

reverent;

properly;

exactly;

used in classical Chinese to express respect towards deities or superiors

to respectreverentproperly

Usage highlights

to revere the godsto receive respectfullyto fear and respectreverent and respectfulto serve respectfullyto await respectfully

Synonyms

  • 敬— to respect; reverence
  • 恭— respectful; reverent
  • 虔— pious; devout

Antonyms

  • 亵— to disrespect; profane
  • 慢— disrespectful; rude

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He showed proper respect to the gods (祗敬神明).
  • The ceremony was conducted with reverence (祗肃行礼).
  • This is exactly what I meant (祗此而已).
  • They received the command with reverence (祗承王命).

Collocations

  • to revere the gods(祗神)
  • to receive respectfully(祗受)
  • to fear and respect(祗畏)
  • reverent and respectful(祗敬)
  • to serve respectfully(祗事)
  • to await respectfully(祗候)

Idioms

  • With utmost reverence(祗敬惟恭)
  • To serve with reverence and diligence(祗勤匪懈)
  • To receive commands with reverence(祗承休命)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally used in ancient texts to express proper respect towards deities, ancestors, and superiors.
  • Appears frequently in classical Chinese literature and historical documents, particularly in ritual contexts.
  • Represents the Confucian virtue of showing proper respect in accordance with one's position and relationship.

FAQ