verb HSK 5
zhēnxī
to treasure · to cherish · to value

Meaning

珍惜 means to regard something as precious and handle it with care. It expresses the act of recognizing value in people, things, opportunities, or time, and treating them accordingly. This word carries emotional weight and is often used when talking about things that are important, irreplaceable, or fleeting.

Usage

珍惜 is commonly used in reflective or emotional contexts when discussing relationships, opportunities, time, or resources. It often appears in advice or encouragement, such as telling someone to cherish their youth or appreciate their loved ones. The word can be used with abstract nouns (time, opportunities) or concrete ones (friendships, possessions).

Examples

  1. 01
    我们应该珍惜现在拥有的一切。
    Wǒmen yīnggāi zhēnxī xiànzài yōngyǒu de yīqiè.
    We should treasure everything we have now.
  2. 02
    他很珍惜和家人在一起的时光。
    hěn zhēnxī jiārén zài yīqǐ de shíguāng.
    He really cherishes the time spent with his family.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 珍惜时间
    zhēnxī shíjiān
    to treasure time
  • 珍惜机会
    zhēnxī jīhuì
    to cherish opportunities
  • 珍惜生命
    zhēnxī shēngmìng
    to treasure life
  • 懂得珍惜
    dǒngde zhēnxī
    to know how to cherish

Antonyms

Origin

Both characters relate to value: 珍 (precious) contains the jade radical 王, suggesting valuable objects, while 惜 (to regret losing) contains the heart radical 心, indicating emotional attachment. Together they emphasize both material and emotional preciousness.

Related