敬
jìng · HSK 7
to respect
🫡 敬 = 苟 (respectful caution) + 攵 (the action/tap radical) = to show respect
The 攵 radical on the right marks an action done with the hand, while 苟 on the left carries a sense of careful, dutiful caution. Together they form the act of treating someone with respect. Pronounced jìng, near the English start of jingle.
敬 — 苟 (gǒu, phonetic) + 攵 (tap/strike)
Originally depicted a person being urged or disciplined with a stick (攵), with 苟 providing the sound. The early sense was 'to warn' or 'to be on guard,' which extended to careful, attentive behavior. From there it shifted to 'respect' and 'reverence,' the modern meaning.