敬意
jìng yì · HSK 7
respect
🙇 敬 (respect/revere) + 意 (intention, feeling) = a feeling of respect held toward someone
敬意 stacks 敬, the verb for honoring or revering, onto 意, the word for thought or sentiment. Together they name the respectful sentiment itself, the kind you pay as tribute. The bow emoji marks the deferential gesture.
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.