守身

shǒushēn

verb #54,769

Meanings

1 to keep oneself pure
2 to preserve one's integrity
3 to remain chaste

Characters

to guard; preserve

Examples

HSK 5

古代士人讲究守身正己。

Gǔdài shì rén jiǎngjiu shǒushēn zhèng jǐ.

Scholars in ancient times emphasized keeping oneself pure and upright.

HSK 7-9

她立志守身如玉。

Tā lìzhì shǒushēn rúyù.

She vowed to keep herself as pure as jade.

Tips

culture

The fixed phrase 守身如玉 ('keep oneself pure as jade') is the most idiomatic use today - historically about female chastity, but in modern usage often broadened to mean preserving moral integrity in either gender.

Stroke Order

守 shǒu

身 shēn