Usage note
尊敬表示对他人或长辈的敬重和礼貌。
Zūnjìng biǎoshì duì tārén huò zhǎngbèi de jìngzhòng hé lǐmào.
Esteem means showing respect and politeness to others or elders.
Context note
在学校里，我们要尊敬老师和同学。
Zài xuéxiào lǐ, wǒmen yào zūnjìng lǎoshī hé tóngxué.
At school, we should respect teachers and classmates.
5 examples
我尊敬我的爷爷。
wǒ zūn jìng wǒ de yé ye。
I respect my grandfather.
大家都很尊敬这位老师。
dà jiā dōu hěn zūn jìng zhè wèi lǎo shī。
Everyone respects this teacher very much.
尊敬长辈是一种美德。
zūn jìng zhǎng bèi shì yì zhǒng měi dé。
Respecting elders is a virtue.
我们要互相尊敬。
wǒ men yào hù xiāng zūn jìng。
We should respect each other.
他因为善良而受到尊敬。
tā yīn wèi shàn liáng ér shòu dào zūn jìng。
He is respected for his kindness.
5 mini stories
小明尊敬他的奶奶。他每天帮奶奶拿东西。
xiǎo míng zūn jìng tā de nǎi nai。 tā měi tiān bāng nǎi nai ná dōng xī。
Xiao Ming respects his grandmother. He helps her carry things every day.
小红尊敬老师，上课认真听讲。老师表扬了她。
xiǎo hóng zūn jìng lǎo shī， shàng kè rèn zhēn tīng jiǎng。 lǎo shī biǎo yáng le tā。
Xiao Hong respects the teacher and listens carefully in class. The teacher praised her.
小刚尊敬朋友，从不吵架。大家喜欢他。
xiǎo gāng zūn jìng péng yǒu， cóng bù chǎo jià。 dà jiā xǐ huan tā。
Xiao Gang respects his friends and never argues. Everyone likes him.
小丽尊敬父母，帮做家务。父母很开心。
xiǎo lì zūn jìng fù mǔ， bāng zuò jiā wù。 fù mǔ hěn kāi xīn。
Xiao Li respects her parents and helps with housework. Her parents are very happy.
小华尊敬邻居，见面打招呼。邻居夸他有礼貌。
xiǎo huá zūn jìng lín jū， jiàn miàn dǎ zhāo hū。 lín jū kuā tā yǒu lǐ mào。
Xiao Hua respects his neighbors and greets them when meeting. The neighbors praise him for being polite.
Mini dialogue
尊敬老师
A
我们应该怎样对待老师？
Wǒmen yīnggāi zěnyàng duìdài lǎoshī?
How should we treat teachers?
B
我们要尊敬老师。
Wǒmen yào zūnjìng lǎoshī.
We should respect teachers.
尊敬长辈
A
在家里，你最尊敬谁？
Zài jiālǐ, nǐ zuì zūnjìng shéi?
At home, who do you respect the most?
B
我最尊敬爷爷。
Wǒ zuì zūnjìng yéye.
I respect grandpa the most.
Related words and contrasts
similar
尊重
zūn zhòng
respect
尊重 is more common for 'respect' in daily life; 尊敬 implies deeper esteem.
related
敬佩
jìng pèi
admire
敬佩 means to admire and respect someone for their qualities.
related
礼貌
lǐ mào
polite; courtesy
礼貌 is about politeness, a way to show respect.
opposite
看不起
kàn bu qǐ
look down on; despise
看不起 is the opposite, meaning to disrespect or look down on someone.