The word 贵 (guì) is a window into the importance of respect and formality in Chinese culture. While its use for “expensive” is purely transactional, its use as an honorific is deeply relational. In modern Western culture, particularly in America, casualness is often the default. We rarely use honorifics outside of specific professional titles (“Dr. Smith,” “Judge Judy”). We would never say “your honorable name.” Instead, we might say “May I ask your name, sir?”—the respect is shown through tone and adding “sir,” but the word “name” itself remains neutral. In Chinese, 贵 elevates the noun it modifies. Asking 您贵姓 (nín guì xìng)? (“What is your honorable surname?”) is a standard, polite way to ask for a stranger's name in a formal setting. You are literally calling their surname “noble.” This act of linguistic respect is a way of giving “face” (面子, miànzi) to the other person. It acknowledges their status (or your desire to be polite) and establishes a respectful tone for the interaction, which is especially critical in business and when speaking to elders.
The usage of 贵 falls into two main categories: price and politeness. 1. Describing Price (Expensive) This is the most frequent use in daily conversation. It's used when shopping, discussing costs, or commenting on the value of goods and services.
2. Showing Respect (Noble, Honored, Your Esteemed…) This is a key feature of formal, polite, and business Chinese. You use 贵 before a noun related to the person you are respectfully addressing.