珍贵 (zhēn guì) is an adjective meaning 'precious' or 'invaluable'—something of exceptional worth, rarity, or emotional significance. The character 珍 (zhēn) means 'rare treasure' or 'to cherish', while 贵 (guì) means 'expensive', 'noble', or 'esteemed'; together, they emphasize both material scarcity and deep intrinsic value. Unlike mere costliness (e.g., 昂贵), 珍贵 carries strong connotations of irreplaceability and reverence.

This word is commonly used for culturally or ecologically significant things: endangered animals (e.g., giant pandas), heirlooms, historical artifacts, childhood mementos, or heartfelt gifts. It appears frequently in conservation contexts ('珍贵的野生动物'), museum descriptions, and personal narratives expressing gratitude or nostalgia. While it can describe objects, it’s often applied to intangible things like time, memories, or relationships—always implying something that cannot—or should not—be lost.