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孝敬 (xiào jìng) — to show filial respect, to be dutiful (to one's parents or elders); to give presents (to one's elders) as a filial gesture; to support one's aged parents

Definition

孝敬 means to show filial respect to one's parents or elders — stronger and more dutiful than 孝顺, and specifically tied to family (not the general respect of 敬重). Often used for giving gifts to elders as a filial gesture.

verb
to show filial respectto be dutiful (to one's parents or elders)to give presents (to one's elders) as a filial gestureto support one's aged parents

Examples

  • 孝敬。
    Tā měi nián chūn jié dōu huì xiào jìng fù mǔ.
    He shows filial respect to his parents every Spring Festival.
  • 孝敬。
    Tā gěi yé ye nǎi nai mǎi le bǎo jiàn pǐn lái xiào jìng.
    She bought health supplements for her grandparents as a filial gift.
  • 孝敬。
    Wǒ rèn wéi xiào jìng nián mài de fù mǔ shì zǐ nǚ de yì wù.
    I believe that supporting one's elderly parents is a child's duty.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

孝xiàofilial
敬jìngrespect

孝 expresses devotion to elders and 敬 expresses respect, together meaning dutiful care.

Characters in this word

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

  • 耂耂lǎoan old man with long hair, bent over
  • 子子zǐa child

孝 puts 耂, an old man with long hair, bent over, above 子, a child, to show filial care between generations.

Open 孝 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Chinese Culture & CustomsFamily & Kinship

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