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敬礼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
敬礼jìnglǐto saluteHSK 7, nr, rank #7306, Hard
敬礼jìnglǐsaluteHSK 7, nr, rank #7306, Hard
jìnglǐ(jing4li3) T4
  1. 1to salute
  2. 2salute
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March 24, 2026
敬礼(敬禮)jìnglǐ(jing4li3)

敬礼 (jìnglǐ) means to salute or to show respect through a gesture, often used in formal or military contexts. It conveys a sense of honor and recognition, typically when greeting someone of higher status or during ceremonies. In everyday usage, it can also refer to the act of showing respect in various social situations.

Frequency#7306DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, showing respect through gestures like 敬礼 is deeply ingrained, especially in formal ceremonies, military practices, and even during traditional festivals. It reflects the Confucian value of respect for hierarchy and authority.

Memory Tip

Think of 敬 (jìng) as 'to respect' and 礼 (lǐ) as 'ritual' or 'ceremony'. Imagine a soldier standing at attention, saluting a dignitary—this visual connects the form of the characters to the meaning of respect and ceremonial gesture.

Meanings of 敬礼

jìnglǐ(jing4li3)
1to salute
2salute
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 敬礼

敬礼Simplified
敬禮Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7306Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 敬礼

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Podcast: 敬礼

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AI Study Notes for 敬礼

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 敬 (jìng) as 'to respect' and 礼 (lǐ) as 'ritual' or 'ceremony'. Imagine a soldier standing at attention, saluting a dignitary—this visual connects the form of the characters to the meaning of respect and ceremonial gesture.

Usage Notes

敬礼 is often used in formal contexts, so it's essential to match the tone appropriately. A common mistake is to use it casually, which can sound insincere. Be mindful of the setting, as it’s not suitable for informal conversations.

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 6, focus on recognizing 敬礼 in various contexts, such as military, formal events, or respectful greetings. Connecting it with other HSK Level 6 words like 尊敬 (zūn jìng - to respect) can deepen understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, showing respect through gestures like 敬礼 is deeply ingrained, especially in formal ceremonies, military practices, and even during traditional festivals. It reflects the Confucian value of respect for hierarchy and authority.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 敬礼 with informal greetings like 你好, using it in casual contexts. Instead, remember to reserve 敬礼 for formal situations where respect is paramount.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 敬礼

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Component Characters

jìngto respect
HSK 712 strokes
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gift
HSK 55 strokes
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Write 敬礼

Practice writing 敬礼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 敬礼

敬礼 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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.

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

身为少尉,他几乎是逢人便得____。

As a second lieutenant, he had to salute damned near everybody.

Example Sentences for 敬礼 (2)

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1
身为少尉,他几乎是逢人便得敬礼。

shēn wéi shǎo wèi, , tā jī hū shì féng rén biàn dé jìng。

As a second lieutenant, he had to salute damned near everybody.
2
人群中走出一人向将军敬礼。

rén qún zhōng zǒu chū yī rén xiàng jiāng jūn jìng lǐ。

One of the company stepped out and saluted the General.

Cultural Notes for 敬礼

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, showing respect through gestures like 敬礼 is deeply ingrained, especially in formal ceremonies, military practices, and even during traditional festivals. It reflects the Confucian value of respect for hierarchy and authority.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While saluting is common in military contexts in both China and Western cultures, the nuances of respect and the occasions for saluting differ; in China, it may be more formalized in everyday social interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions about 敬礼

Use 敬礼 in formal situations, such as during military ceremonies or when addressing someone of higher status.