zhēnguì: 珍贵 - Precious, Valuable, Rare

• Keywords: 珍贵, zhenguì, Chinese for precious, Chinese for valuable, how to say precious in Chinese, how to say valuable in Chinese, zhen gui meaning, cherish in Chinese, 珍惜, 宝贵
• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of the Chinese word 珍贵 (zhēnguì), which translates to “precious,” “valuable,” or “rare.” This page breaks down the characters, explores its cultural significance, and provides over 10 practical example sentences. Discover the difference between 珍贵 (zhēnguì) and similar words like 贵 (guì) (expensive) and 宝贵 (bǎoguì) to understand how to describe things that are valuable beyond just their price, from precious memories and time to rare artifacts in Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhēn guì
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: Describing something as precious, valuable, or rare, often with a sentimental or non-monetary worth.
• In a Nutshell: 珍贵 (zhēnguì) is used for things you want to protect and cherish. It's more than just “expensive”; it speaks to an item's rarity, sentimental value, or irreplaceable nature. Think of a handwritten letter from a loved one, a rare species of animal, or an ancient artifact—these are all 珍贵.

• 珍 (zhēn): This character means “treasure,” “precious,” or “rare.” The left-side radical is 王 (wáng), which is often associated with “jade” (玉 yù), a stone of immense value in Chinese culture. The right side provides the sound. So, you can think of 珍 as a “jade-like treasure.”
• 贵 (guì): This character means “expensive,” “valuable,” or “noble.” The bottom component is 贝 (bèi), which means “shell.” In ancient China, shells were used as currency. Therefore, 贵 directly relates to high monetary value.
• Together: 珍 (treasure) + 贵 (valuable) combine to create a powerful adjective. 珍贵 (zhēnguì) means something is valuable like a treasure, encompassing both objective worth (like an expensive gem) and subjective, sentimental worth (like a cherished memory).

In Chinese culture, the concept of 珍贵 (zhēnguì) extends far beyond material wealth. It is deeply connected to the value of cherishing what one has, whether it's tangible or intangible. This reflects a cultural appreciation for history, relationships, and hard-earned experience. A good Western comparison is the difference between “expensive” and “precious.” A new sports car is “expensive,” but a grandparent's wedding ring is “precious.” 珍贵 (zhēnguì) captures that “precious” feeling perfectly. While an American might say “time is money,” a common Chinese expression is “时间是宝贵的” (Shíjiān shì bǎoguì de) or “时间是珍贵的” (Shíjiān shì zhēnguì de), emphasizing that time is a “precious resource” to be cherished, not just a commodity to be spent. This highlights a cultural focus on making the most of irreplaceable things like time, opportunities, and relationships.

珍贵 (zhēnguì) is a common and slightly formal adjective used in various contexts. It elevates the importance of the noun it describes.

• Describing Objects: It's used for gifts, artifacts, collections, and natural resources. A simple gift becomes a 珍贵的礼物 (zhēnguì de lǐwù) if it carries deep meaning.
• Describing Abstract Concepts: This is a very common usage. Time (时间), memories (回忆), experience (经验), opportunities (机会), and friendship (友谊) are frequently described as 珍贵.
• Formal vs. Informal: While it can be used in heartfelt daily conversations, it carries more weight than simple words like “good” (好). You'll often hear it in speeches, read it in books, and see it in documentaries describing cultural heritage or endangered species.

• Example 1:
  • 时间是珍贵的，我们不应该浪费它。
  • Pinyin: Shíjiān shì zhēnguì de, wǒmen bù yīnggāi làngfèi tā.
  • English: Time is precious, we shouldn't waste it.
  • Analysis: A classic example of using 珍贵 to describe an abstract concept. This is a very common and natural-sounding sentence.
• Example 2:
  • 这张老照片是我最珍贵的财产。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhāng lǎo zhàopiàn shì wǒ zuì zhēnguì de cáichǎn.
  • English: This old photograph is my most precious possession.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the sentimental value over monetary worth. The photo isn't “expensive,” it's “precious.”
• Example 3:
  • 谢谢你送给我这么珍贵的礼物。
  • Pinyin: Xièxiè nǐ sòng gěi wǒ zhème zhēnguì de lǐwù.
  • English: Thank you for giving me such a precious gift.
  • Analysis: Using 珍贵 here implies the gift has deep meaning or was difficult to obtain, making it more than just a simple present.
• Example 4:
  • 大熊猫是中国的珍贵动物之一。
  • Pinyin: Dàxióngmāo shì Zhōngguó de zhēnguì dòngwù zhīyī.
  • English: The Giant Panda is one of China's precious animals.
  • Analysis: Here, 珍贵 is used to mean “rare” and “valued,” often in the context of conservation.
• Example 5:
  • 我们的友谊对我来说非常珍贵。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de yǒuyì duì wǒ lái shuō fēicháng zhēnguì.
  • English: Our friendship is very precious to me.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of using 珍贵 to describe the value of a relationship.
• Example 6:
  • 在这次旅行中，我获得了很多珍贵的经验。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhè cì lǚxíng zhōng, wǒ huòdéle hěnduō zhēnguì de jīngyàn.
  • English: I gained a lot of valuable experience during this trip.
  • Analysis: “Experience” (经验) is often described with 珍贵 or the near-synonym 宝贵 (bǎoguì), emphasizing that it's a valuable life lesson.
• Example 7:
  • 博物馆里陈列着许多珍贵的文物。
  • Pinyin: Bówùguǎn lǐ chénlièzhe xǔduō zhēnguì de wénwù.
  • English: The museum displays many precious cultural relics.
  • Analysis: This is a formal and standard use of 珍贵 to describe items of historical and cultural importance.
• Example 8:
  • 这次失败给了我们一个珍贵的教训。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì shībài gěile wǒmen yíge zhēnguì de jiàoxùn.
  • English: This failure taught us a valuable lesson.
  • Analysis: Even negative events can be described as 珍贵 if the lesson learned from them is highly valued.
• Example 9:
  • 清洁的水资源在许多地方都是很珍贵的。
  • Pinyin: Qīngjié de shuǐ zīyuán zài xǔduō dìfāng dōu shì hěn zhēnguì de.
  • English: Clean water resources are very precious in many places.
  • Analysis: This shows 珍贵 used to describe a resource that is both vital and scarce.
• Example 10:
  • 他很珍惜这次珍贵的面试机会。
  • Pinyin: Tā hěn zhēnxī zhè cì zhēnguì de miànshì jīhuì.
  • English: He really cherishes this precious interview opportunity.
  • Analysis: This sentence pairs the adjective 珍贵 with the verb 珍惜 (zhēnxī - to cherish), a very common and logical combination.

• 珍贵 (zhēnguì) vs. 贵 (guì): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • 贵 (guì) simply means “expensive” in a monetary sense. A diamond ring is 贵. A luxury car is 贵.
  • 珍贵 (zhēnguì) means “precious” or “valuable,” which can include monetary value but always implies rarity or sentimental worth. A child's first drawing is 珍贵 but not 贵.
  • Incorrect: ~~这件T恤很珍贵。~~ (Zhè jiàn T-xù hěn zhēnguì.) → Unless the T-shirt was worn by a celebrity, you should just say it's 贵 (guì) if it costs a lot.
  • Correct: 这件T恤很贵。 (Zhè jiàn T-xù hěn guì.) - This T-shirt is expensive.
• 珍贵 (zhēnguì) vs. 宝贵 (bǎoguì): These two are very close synonyms and often interchangeable. However, there's a slight difference in common usage.
  • 宝贵 (bǎoguì) is very frequently used for abstract things, especially in set phrases like 宝贵的时间 (bǎoguì de shíjiān - precious time), 宝贵的经验 (bǎoguì de jīngyàn - valuable experience), and 宝贵的意见 (bǎoguì de yìjiàn - valuable advice).
  • 珍贵 (zhēnguì) is slightly more versatile and is very commonly used for both concrete objects (gifts, relics, animals) and abstract concepts.
  • In many cases, either one is correct. For example, both 珍贵的友谊 and 宝贵的友谊 are perfectly fine.

• 宝贵 (bǎoguì) - A very close synonym for “precious,” especially common when describing abstract concepts like time, advice, or experience.
• 珍惜 (zhēnxī) - To cherish, to treasure. This is the verb you use when you feel something is 珍贵.
• 贵 (guì) - Expensive. The component of 珍贵 that relates strictly to high monetary cost.
• 昂贵 (ángguì) - Expensive, costly. A more formal and stronger synonym for 贵.
• 稀有 (xīyǒu) - Rare, uncommon. An object or species that is 稀有 is often also 珍贵.
• 无价之宝 (wú jià zhī bǎo) - A priceless treasure. An idiom for something so 珍贵 that a price cannot be put on it.
• 价值 (jiàzhí) - Value, worth. The underlying quality that makes something 珍贵. It can refer to monetary value (经济价值) or cultural value (文化价值).
• 文物 (wénwù) - Cultural relic, artifact. A type of object that is almost always described as being 珍贵.