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拘谨 (jū jǐn) — overcautious and reserved; excessively restrained in manner or speech

Definition

拘谨 (jūjǐn) describes a reserved, overly cautious manner in speech or behavior — typically a person's character in formal or unfamiliar settings. It is a disapproving adjective, stronger and more negative than a neutral 'shy'.

adjective
overcautious and reservedexcessively restrained in manner or speech

Examples

  • ，拘谨。
    Zài shēng rén miàn qián, tā xiǎn de yǒu xiē jū jǐn.
    She seems a bit reserved in front of strangers.
  • 拘谨，。
    Tā xìng gé jū jǐn, bú tài ài shuō huà.
    He has a reserved personality and doesn't talk much.
  • 拘谨，。
    Zài zhè zhǒng zhèng shì chǎng hé bié tài jū jǐn, fàng sōng yì diǎn.
    Don't be too reserved on such a formal occasion; relax a bit.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

拘jūrestrain
谨jǐncautious

拘 means restrain and 谨 means cautious, so the word describes restrained caution.

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
扌Written in full as手shǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
句
句jù拘jū
Same sound today

The left part of 拘 is 扌, the hand form written in full as 手; the right part 句 gives the sound jù.

Open 拘 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 謹; 谨 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánspeech
Sound part声符shēngfú
堇
堇jǐn謹jǐn
Same sound today

The traditional form 謹 has 言, speech, beside 堇, which gives the sound; the whole character means to speak cautiously. The simplified 谨 is a shorthand.

Open 谨 →
Appears in
Personality & Traits

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