崇敬 (chóng jìng) expresses deep, solemn respect—stronger than ordinary respect (尊敬) and often carrying a sense of awe or veneration. The first character 崇 means 'to esteem highly' or 'to revere,' suggesting elevation or honoring something as lofty; the second character 敬 means 'respect' or 'reverence,' rooted in attentiveness and deference. Together, they form a compound emphasizing heartfelt, almost reverential admiration, typically directed toward people (e.g., heroes, elders, teachers), ideals (e.g., justice, truth), or cultural symbols (e.g., Confucius, national founders).

This word is formal and literary, commonly found in speeches, essays, official statements, and commemorative contexts. It rarely appears in casual daily talk—native speakers would use 尊敬 or 敬佩 instead for everyday situations. 崇敬 can function as both a noun ('a feeling of reverence') and a verb ('to revere'), though verbal usage usually requires a subject and object (e.g., 我们崇敬他). It conveys moral weight and emotional gravity, not just polite regard.