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
Virtue (德) high (高) and standing (望) weighty (重). 望 is the key character — not what a person is but how they are regarded, the reputation that has accumulated around them — so the phrase claims both the substance and the recognition, and it is not usable of someone admirable whom nobody has heard of. It is reserved for the old. Applied to a person in mid-career it sounds absurd, and it belongs to introductions, memorials and the naming of the person asked to speak first.
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
Similar idioms about relationships & character
高风亮节
gāo fēng liàng jié
Noble and steadfast
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德才兼备
dé cái jiān bèi
Moral and capable
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光明磊落
guāng míng lěi luò
Upright and open; above board
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忘恩负义
wàng ēn fù yì
Ungrateful betrayal
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老当益壮
lǎo dāng yì zhuàng
Vigor despite age
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尊老爱幼
zūn lǎo ài yòu
Intergenerational harmony
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大义灭亲
dà yì miè qīn
Justice over family
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患难与共
huàn nàn yǔ gòng
Solidarity in hardship
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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”.
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