verb HSK 5
shǒu xìn
to keep one's word · to be trustworthy · to honor one's promise

Meaning

守信 means to keep promises and maintain trustworthiness. It combines 守 (to guard, keep) and 信 (trust, faith) to express the concept of maintaining one's credibility by following through on commitments. This is a valued virtue in Chinese culture, emphasizing personal integrity and reliability.

Usage

守信 is often used in formal or semi-formal contexts to describe someone who honors their commitments. It frequently appears in the phrase 守信用 (to keep one's word) and is commonly paired with 诚实 (honest). In business and personal relationships, 守信 is considered an essential quality.

Examples

  1. 01
    他是个守信的人,答应的事情一定会做到。
    shì shǒu xìn de rén, dāying de shìqíng yīdìng huì zuò dào.
    He is a person who keeps his word; he will definitely do what he promises.
  2. 02
    做生意要诚实守信,才能赢得客户的信任。
    Zuò shēngyì yào chéng shí shǒu xìn, cái néng yíng kèhù de xìnrèn.
    In doing business, one must be honest and trustworthy in order to win customers' trust.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 守信
    shǒu xìn yòng
    to keep one's word
  • 诚实守信
    chéng shí shǒu xìn
    honest and trustworthy
  • 守信的人
    shǒu xìn de rén
    a person who keeps their word

Antonyms

Origin

The word combines 守 (to guard/protect) with 信 (trust/credibility), literally meaning 'to guard one's credibility.' This reflects the traditional Chinese emphasis on maintaining one's reputation through trustworthy behavior.

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