重 (zhòng) - heavy & weighty

重Tone 4

zhòng ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

志

重 · zhòng

heavy;

weighty;

important;

serious;

to lay stress on;

to attach importance to;

to respect;

to duplicate;

to repeat;

again;

layer

heavyweightyimportant

Usage highlights

importantheavy industryserious illnessweightemphasisrespect

Synonyms

  • 沉— heavy (physically)
  • 要— important
  • 尊— respect

Antonyms

  • 轻— light (in weight)
  • 次— secondary; less important

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This box is very heavy (这个箱子很重).
  • He holds an important position (他担任重要职位).
  • We need to emphasize this point (我们需要重点强调).
  • Please repeat after me (请跟我重复).

Collocations

  • important(重要)
  • heavy industry(重工业)
  • serious illness(重病)
  • weight(重量)
  • emphasis(重点)
  • respect(尊重)

Idioms

  • Heavy responsibilities and long journey(任重道远)
  • To lay down one's life for a just cause(重于泰山)
  • To repeat the same old story(老调重弹)
  • To treat with respect(郑重其事)
  • To pile layer upon layer(层层叠叠)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, 'heavy' carries positive connotations of importance and seriousness, as seen in terms like 'important matter' (重事).
  • The character appears in many philosophical contexts, emphasizing the weight of responsibility and moral obligations.
  • In traditional measurement systems, 'heavy' units were used for valuable commodities like gold and medicines.

FAQ