敬重
jìng zhòng · HSK 7
to respect deeply
🙇 敬 respect + 重 heavy = respect that carries weight; to revere deeply
敬 is the same 'respect/honour' as in 尊敬; 重 means heavy or weighty. Together: a respect so weighty it becomes reverence. Stronger than plain 尊重 (ordinary respect).
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.
重 — person 人 + east 東 (phonetic)
Originally depicted a person carrying a heavy bundle on their back, suggesting weight and burden. The 東-like element served as a phonetic component. Over time the character split into two readings: zhòng meaning 'heavy' and chóng meaning 'repeat/again'.