威信

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 他在群众中很有威信。▶ —
   He enjoys high prestige among the public.
2. 失信会损害威信。▶ —
   Breaking faith damages one’s prestige.

Collocations

Mnemonic

威 wēi "prestige, awe" + 信 xìn "trust, faith": prestige built on trust, i.e. prestige, standing. Same as the Korean word wi-sin (威信). The dignity or authority that arises from being trusted by people (树立威信 to build prestige, 威信扫地 one’s prestige falling to the ground). Where 权威 rests on power plus expertise, 威信 centers on prestige grounded in trust (信): it collapses if trust is lost. 威 means "prestige, awe" (威严, 权威); 信 means "trust" (信任, 信用). In the same domain as 声望.

Related

Quick check

1. What is the basis of 威信, versus 权威?

   • prestige grounded in trust (信)
   • power plus expertise
   • inborn looks
   • wealth