贵 (guì) - expensive, costly & noble, precious

贵Tone 4

guì ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

贵 · guì

expensive, costly;

noble, precious;

honorable, esteemed;

your (honorific prefix)

expensive, costlynoble, precioushonorable, esteemed

Usage highlights

expensivenoble familyhonorable surnameprecious metalvaluablehonored guest

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This bag is very expensive (这个包很贵).
  • He comes from a noble family (他出身贵族).
  • Your esteemed surname?(您贵姓?)
  • Time is precious (时间宝贵).

Collocations

  • expensive(昂贵)
  • noble family(贵族)
  • honorable surname(贵姓)
  • precious metal(贵金属)
  • valuable(贵重)
  • honored guest(贵宾)

Idioms

  • Riches and honor cannot lead one astray, poverty and lowly position cannot make one change one's principles, and power and force cannot make one bend one's will(富贵不能淫，贫贱不能移，威武不能屈)
  • The noble man understands what is moral; the small man understands what is profitable(君子喻于义，小人喻于利)
  • Riches and honor are what people desire(富与贵，是人之所欲也)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used as an honorific prefix in formal address (e.g., 贵姓, 贵国) to show respect.
  • In Confucian thought, associated with moral nobility rather than mere wealth.
  • Traditionally contrasted with 贱 (lowly) in social hierarchy concepts.

FAQ