失敬 (shī jìng) — (polite formula) Excuse me for being disrespectful; I'm sorry for my rudeness.

Definition

A formal, polite apology formula used when one has been disrespectful or failed to show proper deference. It is set, literary language — not used in casual conversation.

idiom
(polite formula) Excuse me for being disrespectfulI'm sorry for my rudeness.

Examples

  • 失敬，！
    shī jìng, Yuán lái nín jiù shì wáng jiào shòu!
    Excuse my rudeness, so you are Professor Wang!
  • ，失敬。
    Gāng cái méi rèn chū nín, zhēn shì shī jìng le.
    I didn't recognize you just now — I'm truly sorry for my disrespect.
  • 失敬，。
    shī jìng, Qǐng duō bāo han.
    My apologies, please forgive me.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

失shīfail to keep
敬jìngrespect

失 fail to keep + 敬 respect: an apology for disrespect.

Characters in this word

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

The shape is explained as a fallen person's footprint surrounded by drops of blood; another reading pairs 手 (hand) and 乙 to show something falling from a hand.

Open 失 →

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

  • 茍茍jìkneeling person or sitting dog
  • 攴攴pūhand holding a stick, authority

敬 is possibly formed from 茍, a kneeling person or sitting dog, and 攴, a hand holding a stick.

Open 敬 →

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