慎之又慎 (shèn zhī yòu shèn) — to be extremely cautious; to exercise the utmost care

Definition

A formal idiom meaning 'to be extremely cautious', stronger and more literary than plain 谨慎. Used in writing or formal speeches to emphasize the highest level of care on a critical matter.

idiom
to be extremely cautiousto exercise the utmost care

Examples

  • ，慎之又慎。
    Zhè jiàn shì guān xì dào gōng sī de wèi lái, wǒ men bì xū shèn zhī yòu shèn.
    This matter concerns the company's future; we must be extremely cautious.
  • ，慎之又慎。
    Zài qiān shǔ hé tong zhī qián, qǐng shèn zhī yòu shèn dì shěn chá měi yì tiáo kuǎn.
    Before signing the contract, please review every clause with the utmost care.
  • ，慎之又慎。
    Duì yú hé fèi liào de chǔ lǐ, zhèng fǔ cǎi qǔ le shèn zhī yòu shèn de tài dù.
    Regarding the disposal of nuclear waste, the government has adopted an extremely cautious attitude.

Origin

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīn
Sound part声符shēngfú
真
真zhēn慎shèn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 慎, the left part 心 points to the mind or feeling, while the right part 真 supplies the sound.

Open 慎 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →

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

The shape 又 originally drew a right hand.

Open 又 →

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
心心xīn
Sound part声符shēngfú
真
真zhēn慎shèn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 慎, the left part 心 points to the mind or feeling, while the right part 真 supplies the sound.

Open 慎 →

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