jìngyǎng: 敬仰 - To Revere, To Admire, To Look Up To
Quick Summary
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Summary: Learn the meaning of 敬仰 (jìngyǎng), a powerful Chinese verb expressing a deep sense of reverence, admiration, and respect. More than just “admiring” someone's skills, `敬仰` is reserved for those you truly look up to for their moral character, great achievements, or profound wisdom. This guide breaks down its cultural context, practical usage, and distinguishes it from similar words like `尊重 (zūnjìng)` and `佩服 (pèifú)`.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): jìngyǎng
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 6
Concise Definition: To revere, venerate, or look up to someone with profound respect and admiration.
In a Nutshell: `敬仰` is not your everyday “admiration.” It's a deep, heartfelt feeling that combines respect (`敬`) with the act of looking up to someone (`仰`). Think of the feeling you might have for a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a heroic historical figure, or a mentor who fundamentally shaped your life. It's admiration elevated to the level of reverence, focused on a person's character, contributions, or wisdom rather than superficial qualities.
Character Breakdown
敬 (jìng): This character means “to respect,” “to honor,” or “reverence.” It is a core component of words related to respect, like `尊敬 (zūnjìng)`. It signifies a serious and formal sense of esteem.
仰 (yǎng): This character means “to look up” or “to face upward.” It can be used literally, like looking up at the stars (`仰望星空`), or figuratively, to look up to someone in admiration.
The combination of these two characters is highly visual and intuitive. 敬仰 (jìngyǎng) literally means “to look up with respect,” painting a clear picture of someone gazing up at a person of great stature, both literally and metaphorically.
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese culture, influenced by Confucian values, showing proper respect to elders, teachers, and figures of authority is paramount. `敬仰` takes this a step further. It is the feeling reserved for the true exemplars within these roles—not just any teacher, but the one who inspires a generation; not just any leader, but one who demonstrates immense integrity and wisdom.
Comparison to Western “Admiration”: In English, one can “admire” a wide range of things: a friend's new car, a celebrity's fashion sense, or an athlete's skill. The Chinese term `敬仰` is far more narrow and profound. You would almost never use `敬仰` for material possessions or fleeting skills. It is directed at the person and their enduring qualities: their self-sacrifice, intellectual contributions, artistic genius, or unwavering moral compass. While you might `佩服 (pèifú)` an athlete's physical prowess, you would `敬仰` them for their sportsmanship and charitable work off the field.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Formality: `敬仰` is a formal and somewhat literary term. It is used in serious contexts and is not a word you'd use casually in everyday conversation with friends. It's more common in writing, formal speeches, interviews, and when discussing esteemed individuals.
Common Contexts:
Historical and Public Figures: It is frequently used to describe feelings towards great thinkers, revolutionary heroes, renowned scientists, and celebrated artists. (e.g., “People 敬仰 Sun Yat-sen for his contributions to modern China.”)
Mentors and Elders: A student might express `敬仰` for a professor whose academic and moral guidance was life-changing. It conveys a much deeper gratitude than simple respect.
Moral Exemplars: When someone performs a heroic or selfless act, such as a doctor working tirelessly in a crisis or a firefighter sacrificing their life, people will express their `敬仰` for their character.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
我从小就非常敬仰我的外公，他是一位知识渊博的学者。
Pinyin: Wǒ cóngxiǎo jiù fēicháng jìngyǎng wǒ de wàigōng, tā shì yī wèi zhīshì yuānbó de xuézhě.
English: From a young age, I have deeply revered my maternal grandfather; he is an immensely knowledgeable scholar.
Analysis: This sentence shows a personal and heartfelt use of `敬仰`, directed at a family member who is also a figure of intellectual authority.
Example 2:
居里夫人对科学的贡献，至今仍受到全世界人民的敬仰。
Pinyin: Jūlǐ fūrén duì kēxué de gòngxiàn, zhìjīn réng shòudào quán shìjiè rénmín de jìngyǎng.
English: Marie Curie's contributions to science are still revered by people all over the world today.
Analysis: A classic example of using `敬仰` for a historical figure known for their monumental achievements and dedication.
Example 3:
这位医生无私奉献的精神，赢得了所有人的敬仰。
Pinyin: Zhè wèi yīshēng wúsī fèngxiàn de jīngshén, yíngdéle suǒyǒu rén de jìngyǎng.
English: This doctor's spirit of selfless dedication has won the reverence of everyone.
Analysis: Here, `敬仰` is directed at a moral quality (`无私奉献的精神` - spirit of selfless dedication) embodied by a person.
Example 4:
他是我最敬仰的作家，他的作品深刻地影响了我的价值观。
Pinyin: Tā shì wǒ zuì jìngyǎng de zuòjiā, tā de zuòpǐn shēnkè de yǐngxiǎngle wǒ de jiàzhíguān.
English: He is the author I revere the most; his works have profoundly influenced my values.
Analysis: This shows `敬仰` used for an artist whose impact goes beyond entertainment to shaping one's worldview.
Example 5:
我们敬仰那些为国家独立而奋斗的英雄们。
Pinyin: Wǒmen jìngyǎng nàxiē wèi guójiā dúlì ér fèndòu de yīngxióngmen.
English: We revere those heroes who fought for the country's independence.
Analysis: `敬仰` is often used in a collective, patriotic context to describe feelings towards national heroes.
Example 6:
听到他的事迹后，我的心中充满了敬仰之情。
Pinyin: Tīngdào tā de shìjì hòu, wǒ de xīnzhōng chōngmǎnle jìngyǎng zhī qíng.
English: After hearing about his deeds, my heart was filled with a feeling of reverence.
Analysis: This uses the noun phrase `敬仰之情` (jìngyǎng zhī qíng), which means “a feeling/sentiment of reverence.”
Example 7:
作为一个年轻的科学家，我一直敬仰您在学术上的成就。
Pinyin: Zuòwéi yīgè niánqīng de kēxuéjiā, wǒ yīzhí jìngyǎng nín zài xuéshù shàng de chéngjiù.
English: As a young scientist, I have always looked up to your academic achievements.
Analysis: This is a formal and respectful way to express admiration to a senior in one's field. Note the use of the formal “you,” `您 (nín)`.
Example 8:
她对艺术的执着追求，是每一个学画画的人都敬仰的。
Pinyin: Tā duì yìshù de zhízhuó zhuīqiú, shì měi yīgè xué huà huà de rén dōu jìngyǎng de.
English: Her persistent pursuit of art is something that every art student reveres.
Analysis: `敬仰` is directed towards a quality—“persistent pursuit” (`执着追求`)—which is seen as a model for others.
Example 9:
他的才华值得佩服，但他的人品更值得敬仰。
Pinyin: Tā de cáihuá zhídé pèifú, dànshì tā de rénpǐn gèng zhídé jìngyǎng.
English: His talent is worthy of admiration, but his moral character is even more worthy of reverence.
Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the difference between `佩服` (admiring talent/skill) and `敬仰` (revering character).
Example 10:
对于这位伟大的思想家，我们怀有最崇高的敬仰。
Pinyin: Duìyú zhè wèi wěidà de sīxiǎngjiā, wǒmen huáiyǒu zuì chónggāo de jìngyǎng.
English: We hold the highest reverence for this great thinker.
Analysis: This demonstrates a very formal, written use of the term, combined with `崇高 (chónggāo)` to mean “lofty” or “sublime” reverence.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`敬仰 (jìngyǎng)` vs. `尊重 (zūnjìng)`: This is the most critical distinction. `尊重` (respect) is a broad, often obligatory social norm. You `尊重` your boss, the law, and other people's opinions. It's a baseline. `敬仰` is a rare, deep, and personal feeling of reverence.
Correct: 我尊重我的同事。(I respect my colleagues.)
Correct: 我敬仰那位诺贝尔奖得主。(I revere that Nobel Prize winner.)
Incorrect: 我敬仰我的同事。(This would be an exaggeration unless your colleague is a truly extraordinary person you look up to like a mentor.)
`敬仰 (jìngyǎng)` vs. `佩服 (pèifú)`: `佩服` means to admire someone for a specific skill, ability, or difficult feat. It's about being impressed. `敬仰` is about revering someone for their overall character, wisdom, or great contributions.
Correct: 我很佩服你，你的中文说得这么好！(I really admire you, your Chinese is so good!)
Correct: 我很敬仰鲁迅，因为他用笔唤醒了民众。(I revere Lu Xun because he used his pen to awaken the masses.)
Incorrect: 我敬仰他打游戏打得很好。(I revere him for being good at playing video games.) → Use `佩服` here.
Never use `敬仰` for objects or superficial traits. It is exclusively used for people and sometimes their abstract qualities (like their spirit or character).
Related Terms and Concepts
尊敬 (zūnjìng) - The standard, general term for “to respect.” `敬仰` is a much stronger and more specific form of `尊敬`.
佩服 (pèifú) - To admire, to be impressed by someone's skill, ability, or perseverance. Less formal and less profound than `敬仰`.
崇拜 (chóngbài) - To worship or idolize. This implies a level of devotion, and sometimes irrationality, that goes beyond `敬仰`. Often used for celebrities or religious figures.
仰望 (yǎngwàng) - Literally “to look up at.” Can be used figuratively to mean looking up to someone, often emphasizing the great distance between oneself and the admirable person.
敬重 (jìngzhòng) - To hold in high regard; to respect someone seriously for their status, age, or character. Very similar to `尊敬`, but slightly more formal and weighty.
钦佩 (qīnpèi) - A formal word for “to admire” or “to esteem,” often used for a person's abilities or moral integrity. A close, formal synonym of `佩服`.
景仰 (jǐngyǎng) - A highly formal and literary synonym for `敬仰`, often found in written tributes. `景` here also implies looking up to something bright and great.