Meaning of 珍惜
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to treasure
- to value
- to cherish
How to use 珍惜
珍惜 is used for things you should not waste or lose, like time, chances, friendship, or life. It often appears in advice or reflective writing. Example: 我们要珍惜时间。(Wǒmen yào zhēnxī shíjiān.) We should value our time.
珍 (zhēn) has the jade radical 王, so think of something precious like jade. 惜 (xī) has the heart radical 忄, so 珍惜 means holding something precious close to your heart.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 珍惜 with 珍贵 (zhēnguì). 珍惜 is a verb meaning to cherish, while 珍贵 is an adjective meaning precious, so say 珍惜机会 but 珍贵的机会.
珍惜 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
珍 zhēn · a treasure · 9 strokes
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惜 xī · pity · 11 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 珍惜.
| 可惜 | kěxī | it is a pity; what a pity |
| 珍贵 | zhēnguì | precious |
| 珍珠 | zhēnzhū | pearl (CL:顆|颗[ke1],粒[li4]); (fig.) teardrop; tear |
| 袖珍 | xiùzhēn | pocket-sized; pocket (book etc) |
| 不惜 | bùxī | not stint; not spare |
| 珍藏 | zhēncáng | a collection of rare and valuable items; to collect (such items) |
| 惋惜 | wǎnxī | to regret; to feel that it is a great pity |
| 珍视 | zhēnshì | to place great importance on; to treasure |
| 爱惜 | àixī | to cherish; to treasure |
| 珍重 | zhēnzhòng | to treasure; to cherish; to value highly; (in parting) take good care of yourself |
| 怜惜 | liánxī | to take pity on; to feel tenderness toward |
| 珍宝 | zhēnbǎo | a treasure |
Questions about 珍惜
What does 珍惜 mean?
珍惜 (zhēnxī) means "to treasure; to value" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 珍惜?
珍惜 is made of 2 characters: 珍 (9 strokes), 惜 (11 strokes). That is 20 strokes in total.
Is 珍惜 an HSK word?
Yes. 珍惜 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 珍惜 and 爱惜?
Both mean to value something and not waste it. 爱惜 (àixī) often refers to taking care of physical things or your body, like 爱惜书 (taking care of books). 珍惜 leans more toward abstract things like time, relationships, and opportunities.
Does 惜 in 珍惜 mean the same as in 可惜?
They share the same character, which relates to feeling regret or care about losing something. In 可惜 (kěxī) it expresses that something is a pity, while in 珍惜 it expresses caring about something so you do not lose it.