诚惶诚恐

誠惶誠恐

chénghuáng-chéngkǒng

idiom #31,433

Meanings

1 in fear and trepidation; anxiously reverent
2 with awe and nervousness

Characters

truly; sincerely

anxious; alarmed

Examples

HSK 6

新员工诚惶诚恐地向总经理汇报。

Xīn yuángōng chénghuáng-chéngkǒng de xiàng zǒngjīnglǐ huìbào.

The new employee reported to the CEO with anxious deference.

HSK 7-9

面对如此荣誉，他诚惶诚恐。

Miànduì rúcǐ róngyù, tā chénghuáng-chéngkǒng.

Faced with such an honor, he felt overwhelmed with nervous humility.

Tips

history

From a Han-dynasty memorial to the throne: 诚 here means 'truly'; 惶 and 恐 both mean 'fear', giving a doubled, heightened sense of awe. It was a stock formula of self-effacing reverence used by officials addressing the emperor.

Stroke Order

诚 chéng

惶 huáng

恐 kǒng