德高望重
德高望重 (dé gāo wàng zhòng) literally means “high virtue, great respect” and expresses “respected elder”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: de gao wang zhong, de gao wang zhong,德高望重 meaning, 德高望重 in english
Respected elder
Pronunciation: dé gāo wàng zhòng Literal meaning: High virtue, great respect
Origin & Usage
The idiom 德高望重 (dé gāo wàng zhòng) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe individuals of high moral character and great respect. The phrase originated from the historical context of the Jin Dynasty, as referenced in the works of 房玄龄 (Fang Xuanling) and later adapted into its current form. The idiom is often associated with figures like 富弼 (Fu Bi), a renowned statesman of the Northern Song Dynasty, who was known for his integrity and dedication to public service. The characters 德 (dé) mean 'virtue' or 'moral character,' 高 (gāo) means 'high,' 望 (wàng) refers to 'reputation' or 'esteem,' and 重 (zhòng) means 'weighty' or 'significant.' In modern usage, it is used to honor elders or leaders who are admired for their ethical standards and contributions to society.
Examples
English: "Her contributions to the community earned her a reputation for high virtue and respect."
Chinese: 她对社区的贡献使她赢得了德高望重的声誉。
Related Chinese Idioms
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yī mú yī yàng
Exactly identical
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以心换心
yǐ xīn huàn xīn
Treat others as yourself
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海纳百川
hǎi nà bǎi chuān
Accept all with open mind
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以和为贵
yǐ hé wéi guì
Value harmony above all
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同舟共济
tóng zhōu gòng jì
Face challenges together
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fēng yǔ tóng zhōu
Share hardships together
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chūn fēng huà yǔ
Gentle, nurturing influence
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hú jiǎ hǔ wēi
Borrow authority to intimidate
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 德高望重 mean in English?
德高望重 (dé gāo wàng zhòng) literally translates to “High virtue, great respect” and is used to express “Respected elder”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 德高望重 used?
Situation: Her contributions to the community earned her a reputation for high virtue and respect.
What is the pinyin for 德高望重?
The pinyin pronunciation for 德高望重 is “dé gāo wàng zhòng”.