感恩戴德 (gǎn ēn dài dé) — to be deeply grateful; to feel indebted for a k… | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A formal four-character idiom meaning 'to feel deeply grateful for a kindness.' Stronger than a simple 谢谢 — it implies a lasting sense of being indebted, often used in writing or solemn speech.

idiom

to be deeply gratefulto feel indebted for a kindness received

Examples

感恩戴德。
Tā duì nà wèi jiù mìng ēn rén yì zhí gǎn ēn dài dé.
He has always been deeply grateful to that lifesaver.
，感恩戴德，。
Duì yú nín de bāng zhù, wǒ gǎn ēn dài dé, yǒng shì bú wàng.
I am deeply grateful for your help and will never forget it.
，感恩戴德。
Shòu dào rú cǐ hòu dài, tā gǎn dòng dé gǎn ēn dài dé.
Receiving such generous treatment, he was moved to deep gratitude.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

感恩feel gratitude

感gǎnfeel恩ēngrace

动宾Verb + object

戴德owe virtue

戴dàiowe德dévirtue

动宾Verb + object

感恩 and 戴德 both express gratitude, together meaning deeply thankful.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

咸心感

Meaning part形符xíngfú

心心xīnheart

Sound part声符shēngfú

咸

咸xián感gǎn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

感 pairs 咸, which gives the sound, with 心, the heart, for feeling.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

因心恩

Meaning part形符xíngfú

心心xīnheart

Sound part声符shēngfú

因

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

恩 puts 因, which gives the sound, beside 心, a heart.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

戴 originally drew a person holding something on their head with both hands.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

彳彳chìroad

Sound part声符shēngfú

惪

惪dé德dé

Same sound today

德 combines 彳, a road, with 惪, a component meaning virtue that also supplies the sound.

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