Meaning of 珍贵
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- precious
How to use 珍贵
珍贵 describes things that are rare and highly valued, such as memories, photos, time, or historical objects. It often comes before a noun with 的. Example: 这是一张很珍贵的照片。(Zhè shì yì zhāng hěn zhēnguì de zhàopiàn.) This is a very precious photo.
珍 (zhēn) has the jade radical 王 on the left, so think of a rare jewel, and 贵 (guì) has 贝 (shell, old money) at the bottom, so think of something costly. A jewel that costs a lot of money is 珍贵, precious.
Common mistake: Learners often write 珍 with the wrong right side, mixing it up with 诊 (zhěn, to diagnose), which has the speech radical 讠 instead of 王. Also, 贵 alone usually means expensive, so 很贵 means costly, while 很珍贵 means precious or treasured.
珍贵 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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贵 guì · expensive · 9 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 珍贵.
| 宝贵 | bǎoguì | valuable; precious |
| 珍惜 | zhēnxī | to treasure; to value |
| 珍珠 | zhēnzhū | pearl (CL:顆|颗[ke1],粒[li4]); (fig.) teardrop; tear |
| 袖珍 | xiùzhēn | pocket-sized; pocket (book etc) |
| 贵族 | guìzú | lord; nobility |
| 高贵 | gāoguì | grandeur; noble |
| 昂贵 | ángguì | expensive; costly |
| 贵宾 | guìbīn | honored guest; distinguished guest |
| 尊贵 | zūnguì | respected; respectable |
| 贵重 | guìzhòng | precious |
| 珍藏 | zhēncáng | a collection of rare and valuable items; to collect (such items) |
| 珍视 | zhēnshì | to place great importance on; to treasure |
Questions about 珍贵
What does 珍贵 mean?
珍贵 (zhēnguì) means "precious" and is used as a adjective.
How do you write 珍贵?
珍贵 is made of 2 characters: 珍 (9 strokes), 贵 (9 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 珍贵 an HSK word?
Yes. 珍贵 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 珍贵 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 珍贵 is written 珍貴.
What is the difference between 珍贵 and 宝贵?
Both mean precious, but 宝贵 (bǎoguì) is used more for abstract things like 宝贵的时间 (precious time) or 宝贵的经验 (valuable experience). 珍贵 leans toward rare, treasured objects and memories, such as 珍贵的文物 (precious cultural relics). In many sentences either one works.
Can 珍贵 be used as a verb, like to treasure something?
No, 珍贵 is an adjective. To say you treasure something, use 珍惜 (zhēnxī), for example 珍惜时间 (to treasure time).