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自尊心 (zì zūn xīn) — self-respect, self-esteem

Definition

Refers to one's sense of self-worth and dignity — often discussed in the abstract ('hurt someone's 自尊心') rather than as a concrete thing. Culturally tied to 面子 (face) but more internal: losing 自尊心 means feeling personally diminished.

noun
self-respectself-esteem

Examples

  • 自尊心，。
    Měi gè rén dōu yǒu zì zūn xīn, bù xiǎng bèi bié rén kàn bù qǐ.
    Everyone has self-respect and doesn't want to be looked down upon by others.
  • 自尊心。
    Nǐ shuō de huà shāng hài le tā de zì zūn xīn.
    Your words hurt his self-esteem.
  • 自尊心，。
    Zuò rén yào yǒu zì zūn xīn, bù néng wèi le qián shén me dōu zuò.
    A person should have self-respect and not do anything for money.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

自尊self-respect
自zìself尊zūnrespect
偏正Modifier + head
心xīnheart

自尊 gives self-respect, and 心 adds the feeling or mind, making self-esteem.

Characters in this word

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

假借jiǎjièLater borrowed for its sound alone — the picture has nothing to do with today’s meaning.

自 originally drew a nose. It was borrowed purely for its sound to write 自, so the picture and the meaning are unrelated.

Open 自 →

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

The shape combines 寸 (hand) and 酋 (wine), showing a hand offering a wine vessel to express respect; some forms show two hands instead.

Open 尊 →

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

The shape of 心 comes from a drawing of a heart, now highly stylized.

Open 心 →
Appears in
Personality & Traits

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