<p>It is an ancient word for modern use.In ancient word "保重" came from "保重啬神" in Taoism and means "Keep healty".It become a popular word but nobody care the original reference in Chinese.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-12T12:02:39.903Z
2015-04-12T12:02:39.903Z
Roaid
<p>It is true that this word originally comes from 《晋书·夏侯湛传》：“方将保重啬神，独善其身。”
But we use it in situation of farewell. 珍重 is heavier than 保重。 珍重包含了珍惜cherish.</p>

<p>保 是保住，保持，守 。 keep， reserve probably.</p>

<p>重 has two tones:</p>

<ol>
<li>zhòng 是分量较大，与“轻”相反。 large amount or heavy. opposite with light. 很重，举重。</li>
<li>chóng means again. doubled. 重复，重播。</li>
</ol>

<p>In the phrase 保重 is zhòng. In my appoint: strong power. strength.</p>

<p>Does it make sense? (<a href="http://xh.5156edu.com/html5/z39m31j146490.html" rel="nofollow">Reference</a>.)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-12T14:07:53.410Z
2015-05-09T02:02:28.833Z
2015-05-09T02:02:28.833Z
kinson zhao
<p>As far as I have learnt, for each Chinese word with more than one character, its meaning is formed from that of each character which it comprises. However, I cannot understand how the meaning of <code>保重</code> is formed this way. I thought that:</p>

<ul>
<li>保 = to protect</li>
<li>重 = important</li>
</ul>

<p>what would <code>保</code> and <code>重</code> mean for this word? How does it go from "to protect the important one" to "take care"?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<meaning><vocabulary><etymology><phrase>
Why "保重" means "take care"?
# Why "保重" means "take care"?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-04-12)

As far as I have learnt, for each Chinese word with more than one character, its meaning is formed from that of each character which it comprises. However, I cannot understand how the meaning of `保重` is formed this way. I thought that:

* 保 = to protect
* 重 = important

what would `保` and `重` mean for this word? How does it go from "to protect the important one" to "take care"?

Thanks in advance!

**Tags:** meaning, vocabulary, etymology, phrase


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-04-12. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

It is true that this word originally comes from 《晋书·夏侯湛传》：“方将保重啬神，独善其身。”
But we use it in situation of farewell. 珍重 is heavier than 保重。 珍重包含了珍惜cherish.

保 是保住，保持，守 。 keep， reserve probably.

重 has two tones:

1. zhòng 是分量较大，与“轻”相反。 large amount or heavy. opposite with light. 很重，举重。
2. chóng means again. doubled. 重复，重播。

In the phrase 保重 is zhòng. In my appoint: strong power. strength.

Does it make sense? ([Reference](http://xh.5156edu.com/html5/z39m31j146490.html).)


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### Answer by username_1 on 2015-04-12. Score: 1

It is an ancient word for modern use.In ancient word "保重" came from "保重啬神" in Taoism and means "Keep healty".It become a popular word but nobody care the original reference in Chinese.


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