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March 24, 2026
贵(貴)guì(gui4)
The character 贵 (guì) primarily means 'expensive' or 'valuable,' often used to describe items that are costly. Additionally, it serves as an honorific form when addressing someone respectfully, particularly when referring to their name or title. It conveys a sense of nobility and importance in both contexts.
Strokes9Radical贝Frequency#2489DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, addressing someone with 贵 (guì) when referring to their name is a sign of respect and politeness, reflecting the importance of hierarchy and respect in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a golden crown, representing something noble and expensive, to remember 贵 (guì). The left side of the character, the radical for 'rich' or 'wealth,' suggests value, while the right side resembles a person holding something precious, reinforcing the meaning of nobility and expense.
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AI Study Notes for 贵
Quick Contrast
贵 (guì) vs 昂贵 (ángguì) — use 贵 for general expense or value, while 昂贵 specifically emphasizes high cost.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a golden crown, representing something noble and expensive, to remember 贵 (guì). The left side of the character, the radical for 'rich' or 'wealth,' suggests value, while the right side resembles a person holding something precious, reinforcing the meaning of nobility and expense.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 贵 with the similar-sounding character 规 (guī), which means 'rule' or 'regulation.' Use 贵 in both formal and informal situations when discussing prices or attributes of people respectfully, but avoid using it for casual or derogatory references.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 贵 connects well with other basic vocabulary around money and value. Focus on using it in sentences related to shopping or addressing someone respectfully, as this will reinforce its practical usage.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, addressing someone with 贵 (guì) when referring to their name is a sign of respect and politeness, reflecting the importance of hierarchy and respect in social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 贵 to describe something that is cheap or of low value, such as saying '这个便宜的东西很贵' (zhège piányí de dōngxī hěn guì), which is incorrect. The correct form would be '这个便宜的东西很便宜' (zhège piányí de dōngxī hěn piányí), meaning 'This cheap item is very cheap.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 贵
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Grammar Patterns of 贵
贵 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The product is of high quality and is not expensive either.
9
这个好一点, 但也贵一些.
zhè gè hǎo yī diǎn, , dàn yě guì yī.
This is better, but then again it costs more.
10
你什么都不关心，除了你自己和你那张娇贵的脸。
nǐ shí mó dū bù guān xīn， ， chú le nǐ zì jǐ hé nǐ nà zhāng jiāo guì de。
You don't care about anything but yourself and your precious face.
Cultural Notes for 贵
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, addressing someone with 贵 (guì) when referring to their name is a sign of respect and politeness, reflecting the importance of hierarchy and respect in social interactions.
