恭 gōng polite
polite; respectful; reverent
How to remember 恭: 共 collectively + ⺗ heart = polite. The whole class stands up collectively, hand on heart, when the old teacher walks in, quiet and polite.
Component breakdown
恭 = 共 collectively + ⺗ heart
- 共 collectively
- 龷 bacon rashers
- 八 eight
- ⺗ heart
The whole class stands up collectively, hand on heart, when the old teacher walks in, quiet and polite.
How it is used
- 恭 is bound and formal, meaning respectful/deferential, best known through the everyday greeting 恭喜 (gōngxǐ) "congratulations".
- 恭喜恭喜! (gōngxǐ gōngxǐ) is a standard reply when someone shares good news; 恭喜发财 (gōngxǐ fācái) is the classic Chinese New Year greeting, "wishing you wealth".
- 恭敬 (gōngjìng) describes respectful, deferential behavior toward an elder or superior, and 恭维 (gōngwéi) means to flatter/pay compliments, sometimes insincerely.