德高望重

dégāo-wàngzhòng

idiom #31,386

Meanings

1 of noble character and high prestige
2 a person of great moral standing and reputation
3 highly respected for virtue

Characters

reputation; esteem

Examples

HSK 4

他是一位德高望重的老教授。

Tā shì yī wèi dégāo-wàngzhòng de lǎo jiàoshòu.

He is a highly respected senior professor of noble character.

HSK 5

德高望重的老人在村里最受尊敬。

Dégāo-wàngzhòng de lǎorén zài cūn lǐ zuì shòu zūnjìng.

Elders of great virtue and prestige are the most respected in the village.

HSK 6

请德高望重的张老来主持仪式。

Qǐng dégāo-wàngzhòng de Zhāng lǎo lái zhǔchí yíshì.

Let's ask the venerable Elder Zhang to preside over the ceremony.

Tips

history

From 《晋书·简文三子传》: 元显因讽礼官下仪，称已德隆望重 - describing Sima Yuanxian's claim to 'lofty virtue and weighty prestige.' Originally 德隆望重, later standardized to 德高望重.

usage

Reserved for elders or eminent figures - never ironic, never for the young. Usually paired with 长者, 老人, 前辈, or a surname.

Stroke Order

德 dé

高 gāo

望 wàng

重 zhòng