How to Write 敬 (jìng) — Meaning “to respect / to offer politely”

Picture a person kneeling (left side 茍) while a hand with a stick (right side 攵) reminds them to act respectfully. Imagine a teacher politely correcting a student who bows. The sound "jìng" can also remind you of "jingling" bells at a respectful ceremony.

The left part 茍 has a specific shape: a horizontal line at top, then a vertical, then two strokes like a small "U". Do not confuse it with 苟 (grass dog). The right radical 攵 has four strokes: short horizontal, left-falling, horizontal, right-falling. Keep the left part narrow and the right part balanced.

敬 has a kneeling person on the left (茍), while 效 has 交 (to hand over) and 敉 has 米 (rice). Meaning-wise, 敬 is about respect (e.g., 尊敬), 效 is about imitating or effect (e.g., 效果), and 敉 means to soothe. Visually, 敬's left side is more complex than the other two.

敬 appears in formal situations like weddings, business dinners, or letters. Common phrases include 敬礼 (salute), 敬酒 (toast), and 尊敬 (respect). In Chinese culture, using 敬 shows politeness and proper respect for elders, guests, or superiors.

Common words containing 敬 include: 尊敬 (zūn jìng) — To respect; respectful; 敬礼 (jìng lǐ) — to salute / salute; 敬酒 (jìng jiǔ) — to propose a toast.