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B1 verb 8 min read

斟酒

zhenjiu
Examples 斟酒 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 斟酒 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of 斟酒 (zhēn jiǔ) as a fancy way to say 'pour wine.' While you mostly use the word '倒' (dào) for pouring water or milk, '斟酒' is specifically for alcohol. You might see it in pictures of people at a dinner table. It is made of two parts: '斟' (pour carefully) and '酒' (wine/alcohol). Even though it's a bit advanced, knowing it helps you understand that in China, pouring a drink for someone else is a very important way to be a good friend or a polite guest. You don't need to use it every day, but when you see it, remember it's about being polite with drinks.
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At the A2 level, you should recognize 斟酒 (zhēn jiǔ) as a formal verb used in social situations. You can use the sentence structure 'Subject + 给 + Person + 斟酒' (Subject pours wine for Person). For example, '我给爸爸斟酒' (I pour wine for my father). This shows you understand basic Chinese etiquette. You might also notice that people use it in restaurants. If a waiter is very polite, they will '斟酒' instead of just '倒酒.' It's a useful word to know for describing scenes at a party or a family dinner where alcohol is served.
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At the B1 level, you should understand the nuance between 斟酒 (zhēn jiǔ) and '倒酒.' While '倒酒' is functional, '斟酒' implies a sense of ritual and respect. You can start using resultative complements with it, such as '斟满' (pour until full). At this level, you should also be aware of the cultural expectation: in a formal Chinese meal, you should pour for others before yourself. Using '斟酒' in your writing or speaking will make you sound more culturally aware and sophisticated. It often appears in B1 level reading passages about traditional festivals or social manners.
At the B2 level, 斟酒 (zhēn jiǔ) should be a part of your active vocabulary for formal descriptions. You should be able to use it in complex sentences, such as '他一边斟酒，一边委婉地表达了他的谢意' (While pouring wine, he tactfully expressed his gratitude). You should also understand its connection to the word '斟酌' (zhēn zhuó), which means to deliberate or consider. This shows an understanding of how the character '斟' functions in different contexts. You should be comfortable using '斟酒' when discussing Chinese banquet culture, business etiquette, or analyzing modern literature where social dynamics are at play.
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At the C1 level, you should appreciate the stylistic value of 斟酒 (zhēn jiǔ) in different literary registers. You can use it to create specific atmospheres in your writing—for instance, using it to evoke a sense of classical elegance or formal tension in a narrative. You should be able to discuss the historical evolution of the term and its relation to ancient wine vessels. Furthermore, you should be able to distinguish between '斟酒,' '酌,' and '泛' in classical contexts. At this level, you are expected to understand the subtle social power play involved in who pours for whom and how the term '斟酒' encapsulates these hierarchical relationships in Chinese society.
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At the C2 level, 斟酒 (zhēn jiǔ) is a tool for nuanced expression. You can analyze its use in classical poetry (like that of Li Bai or Du Fu) where the act of pouring wine is a metaphor for friendship, sorrow, or political exile. You should be able to use the term in academic discussions about Chinese sociolinguistics and the 'culture of the table.' You understand that '斟酒' is not just a verb but a cultural signifier that has remained relatively stable in its formal connotations for centuries. Your mastery allows you to use it with perfect precision, knowing exactly when its formal 'weight' is required to achieve the desired rhetorical effect.
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Examples

斟酒 in 30 Seconds

  • 斟酒 is a formal verb meaning 'to pour wine' with care and respect.
  • It is used in banquets, weddings, and when serving elders or superiors.
  • The word is more sophisticated and polite than the common '倒酒'.
  • It reflects Chinese social etiquette and the importance of hospitality.

The Chinese verb 斟酒 (zhēn jiǔ) is a sophisticated and culturally rich term that translates to 'to pour wine' or 'to pour an alcoholic beverage.' While the more common verb 倒 (dào) can also mean 'to pour,' 斟 (zhēn) carries a connotation of elegance, care, and ritualistic precision. It is not merely the act of transferring liquid from a bottle to a glass; it is an act of service, respect, and social grace. In the context of Chinese banquets, business dinners, and family gatherings, knowing when and how to 斟酒 is considered a vital social skill that reflects one's upbringing and respect for hierarchy. The character 斟 itself historically implies 'to deliberate' or 'to consider,' suggesting that the pourer is mindful of the quantity and the person they are serving.

Etiquette Label
In formal Chinese settings, the host or the younger person is expected to 斟酒 for the guests or elders. The glass should typically be filled nearly to the brim to show 'fullness' of respect, unlike tea, which is only filled to seven-tenths.
Literary Nuance
The term is frequently found in classical poetry and wuxia novels, where heroes '斟酒' while discussing philosophy or before a duel, adding a layer of gravitas to the scene.

他在晚宴上恭敬地为长辈斟酒。(He respectfully poured wine for the elders at the dinner banquet.)

Historically, the act of pouring wine was associated with the 'Zun' (尊) and 'Jue' (爵) vessels. The character 斟 contains the 'dou' (斗) radical, which refers to a measuring ladle. This reinforces the idea that 斟酒 involves a measured, intentional action. In modern Mandarin, while 倒酒 is used in 90% of daily conversations, 斟酒 is the 'upgrade' word you use when you want to sound more polite, literary, or when describing a high-end service environment like a Michelin-star restaurant or a traditional wedding ceremony.

服务员正忙着给每一位来宾斟酒。(The waiter is busy pouring wine for every guest.)

Social Hierarchy
The act of 斟酒 is a non-verbal communication of status. By pouring for someone else, you are acknowledging their importance. In business, the junior assistant will always be the one to 斟酒 for the CEO and the clients.

Using 斟酒 (zhēn jiǔ) correctly involves understanding its grammatical placement and the adverbs that typically accompany it. As a verb-object construction (VO), it can be separated or modified. For example, you can say 斟满一杯酒 (zhēn mǎn yì bēi jiǔ), meaning 'to pour a full cup of wine.' The verb 斟 functions as the action, and 酒 is the object. In most sentences, it follows the pattern: [Subject] + [Prepositional Phrase (给/为 + Person)] + [斟酒]. This emphasizes who is receiving the service.

请允许我为您斟酒。(Please allow me to pour wine for you.)

To add descriptive flavor, we often use adverbs that describe the manner of pouring. Because 斟酒 is a refined action, adverbs like 缓缓地 (huǎn huǎn de - slowly), 亲自 (qīn zì - personally), or 毕恭毕敬地 (bì gōng bì jìng de - with great respect) are frequently paired with it. If you want to describe a scene of hospitality, you might say: 主人亲自为客人斟酒 (The host personally poured wine for the guests). This highlights the host's humility and hospitality.

Resultative Complements
Commonly used with 满 (mǎn - full). Example: 酒杯已经斟满了 (The wine glass has already been filled).
Object Variety
While '酒' is the standard object, you can replace it with specific types of alcohol: 斟红酒 (pour red wine), 斟白酒 (pour baijiu).

他一边斟酒，一边讲述着过去的故事。(While pouring wine, he told stories of the past.)

Furthermore, 斟 can be used in the phrase 斟茶 (zhēn chá) to mean pouring tea, which follows the same formal rules. In classical Chinese, 斟 also means to deliberate, which is seen in the word 斟酌 (zhēn zhuó) - to consider or weigh options. This connection suggests that pouring wine is an action that requires 'consideration' of the other person's needs and the social atmosphere.

You will encounter 斟酒 (zhēn jiǔ) in several specific high-frequency contexts in Chinese life. First and foremost is the **formal banquet (宴会 yànhuì)**. Whether it is a state dinner, a corporate gala, or a large-scale wedding, the master of ceremonies or the waitstaff will use this term. For instance, a waiter might approach a table and say, “先生，需要为您斟酒吗？” (Sir, would you like me to pour some wine for you?). In this setting, the word establishes a professional and respectful distance.

在正式的商务午餐中，给客户斟酒是一种基本的礼仪。(In a formal business lunch, pouring wine for the client is a basic etiquette.)

Another common place to hear this is in **Period Dramas (古装剧 gǔzhuāng jù)**. Because 斟酒 has a classical feel, characters in historical settings—emperors, scholars, or generals—will almost exclusively use 斟 instead of 倒. When a character says, “满斟此杯！” (Fill this cup to the brim!), it evokes a sense of ancient tradition and heroic spirit. If you are a fan of Chinese cinema, listen for this word during scenes involving toasts or farewells.

Fine Dining
Sommeliers in high-end wine bars in Shanghai or Beijing will use 斟酒 to describe the service of vintage bottles.
Literature
Novels often use 斟酒 to set a mood of quiet reflection or intense social interaction.

Lastly, you will see it in **formal invitations** or event programs. A schedule might list “开场斟酒仪式” (Opening wine-pouring ceremony). In modern social media, influencers posting about wine culture or 'lifestyle' content might use 斟酒 to add a touch of class to their captions, contrasting it with the more mundane act of just drinking.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is **overusing** 斟酒 (zhēn jiǔ) in casual contexts. While you might think using a 'fancier' word makes your Chinese sound better, using 斟酒 at a loud beer stall (大排档) with your college friends will sound unnaturally stiff or even sarcastic. In those settings, 倒酒 (dào jiǔ) or even 倒满 (dào mǎn) is the standard. It is essential to match the 'register' of the word to the environment.

Mistake: 在宿舍和朋友喝啤酒时说：“我来为你斟酒。” (Sounds too formal for a dorm beer.)

Another mistake is confusing the **objects**. While you can 斟酒 (wine/alcohol) and 斟茶 (tea), you almost never 斟水 (pour water) or 斟果汁 (pour juice). For non-ceremonial liquids like water, juice, or soda, always use 倒. Using 斟 for a glass of water sounds like you are treating the water as a precious, ritualistic liquid, which is usually not the intent.

The 'Self-Pour' Error
In Chinese culture, you rarely 斟酒 for yourself first. If you use the word 斟酒, the social expectation is that you are serving others. Saying “我要给自己斟酒” is grammatically correct but culturally awkward.

Finally, watch out for the **amount**. If you say you are going to 斟酒, but you only pour a tiny splash (unless it's a tasting), it contradicts the 'fullness' implied by the ritual in many Chinese regions. In Northern China specifically, 斟酒 usually implies filling the glass to the very top. If you don't intend to fill it, you might want to use a different phrasing to manage expectations.

To truly master 斟酒 (zhēn jiǔ), you must see how it sits alongside its synonyms. The most common alternative is 倒酒 (dào jiǔ). While both mean 'to pour wine,' 倒 is the neutral, everyday verb. It is functional. 斟 is aesthetic and social. If 倒 is 'pouring,' then 斟 is 'serving wine with ceremony.'

斟酒 vs. 倒酒
斟酒: Formal, respectful, used for guests/elders, high-register.
倒酒: Casual, neutral, used for friends/self, any-register.
斟酒 vs. 酌 (zhuó)
酌: Often refers to the act of drinking and pouring together, or drinking alone (e.g., 独酌). It is very literary and rarely used in spoken modern Mandarin except in idioms like 斟酌.
斟酒 vs. 灌 (guàn)
灌: This means 'to force-pour' or 'to guzzle.' It is the opposite of the refined 斟. If someone is being forced to drink too much at a party, they are being 灌酒.

Another related term is 敬酒 (jìng jiǔ), which means 'to propose a toast.' While 斟酒 is the physical act of pouring, 敬酒 is the social act of offering the drink and saying 'Cheers!' Often, you must 斟酒 before you can 敬酒. If you are the host, you first 斟满 (pour full) the guest's glass, and then 举杯敬酒 (raise the glass to toast).

Example comparison: “他为我斟酒” (He poured wine for me - focus on the service) vs “他向我敬酒” (He toasted me - focus on the honor).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒʌn dʒjoʊ/
US /dʒən dʒjoʊ/
Primary stress on the first syllable 'zhēn'.
Rhymes With
真 (zhēn) 珍 (zhēn) 针 (zhēn) 九 (jiǔ) 久 (jiǔ) 旧 (jiù) 救 (jiù) 舅 (jiù)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'zh' as 'z' (zen instead of zhen).
  • Pronouncing 'en' as 'an' (zhan instead of zhen).
  • Falling to use the correct tones (1st tone for zhēn, 3rd tone for jiǔ).
  • Confusing the 'iu' sound with 'ou'.
  • Saying 'jiu' like 'jew' instead of 'jyoh-oo'.
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Examples by Level

1

他给客人斟酒。

He pours wine for the guest.

Simple S+V+O structure.

2

请斟酒。

Please pour the wine.

Imperative sentence.

3

爸爸在斟酒。

Dad is pouring wine.

Present continuous action.

4

我不斟酒。

I don't pour wine.

Negative sentence.

5

你会斟酒吗？

Can you pour wine?

Question with 吗.

6

他在桌子旁斟酒。

He is pouring wine by the table.

Location phrase + Verb.

7

这是一瓶斟酒。

This is a bottle for pouring wine.

Wait, 斟酒 is a verb, this is a slightly unnatural but possible noun-like use in A1.

8

老师给朋友斟酒。

The teacher pours wine for a friend.

Subject + 给 + Indirect Object + Verb.

1

服务员恭敬地为我们斟酒。

The waiter respectfully poured wine for us.

Adverb + 为 + Object + Verb.

2

在聚会上，他一直在斟酒。

At the party, he was pouring wine the whole time.

Time phrase + 一直 (always) + Verb.

3

请帮我给这位先生斟酒。

Please help me pour wine for this gentleman.

Request with 帮 (help).

4

他倒了一杯水，又斟了一杯酒。

He poured a glass of water, then poured a glass of wine.

Contrast between 倒 and 斟.

5

斟酒的时候要小心。

Be careful when pouring wine.

...的时候 (when...).

6

他学会了如何正确地斟酒。

He learned how to pour wine correctly.

学会了 (learned) + how to.

7

我们一边聊天，一边斟酒。

We chatted while pouring wine.

一边...一边... (simultaneous actions).

8

这里的斟酒服务非常好。

The wine-pouring service here is very good.

Using the verb as a noun modifier.

1

他把每个人的酒杯都斟满了。

He filled everyone's wine glass to the brim.

把 structure + 斟满 (resultative).

2

按照传统，晚辈应该给长辈斟酒。

According to tradition, the younger generation should pour wine for the elders.

按照 (according to) + 应该 (should).

3

她轻轻地提起酒壶，为客人斟酒。

She lightly lifted the wine pot and poured wine for the guest.

Sequential actions with 提 (lift) and 为 (for).

4

斟酒不仅仅是一个动作，更是一种礼仪。

Pouring wine is not just an action; it is a form of etiquette.

不仅仅...更... (not only... but also...).

5

他斟酒的姿势非常专业。

His posture while pouring wine is very professional.

Possessive marker 的 describing the manner.

6

在正式场合，斟酒时不能洒出来。

In formal occasions, wine must not be spilled when pouring.

Negative modal 不能 (cannot/must not).

7

他亲自为远道而来的朋友斟酒。

He personally poured wine for his friend who came from afar.

亲自 (personally) + descriptive phrase.

8

酒瓶太重了，他斟酒时手在抖。

The bottle was too heavy; his hand was shaking while pouring wine.

Cause and effect with 抖 (shake).

1

主人热情地招待客人，不停地为他们斟酒。

The host warmly entertained the guests, constantly pouring wine for them.

不停地 (constantly) as an adverb.

2

他动作娴熟地为上司斟酒，显得十分老练。

He skillfully poured wine for his boss, appearing very experienced.

娴熟 (skillful) and 老练 (experienced).

3

在这场外交宴会上，斟酒的细节都被严格规定了。

At this diplomatic banquet, the details of pouring wine were strictly regulated.

Passive voice with 被.

4

他一边斟酒，一边观察着对方的反应。

He poured wine while observing the other person's reaction.

Using '斟酒' as a cover for social observation.

5

古人常以斟酒会友，以此增进感情。

Ancient people often met friends by pouring wine to enhance their relationship.

以...会友 (use... to meet friends).

6

他斟酒时神情专注，仿佛在完成一件艺术品。

He looked focused while pouring wine, as if completing a work of art.

仿佛... (as if...).

7

尽管他很累，但依然坚持为每一位长辈斟酒。

Although he was tired, he still insisted on pouring wine for every elder.

尽管...但依然... (although... still...).

8

斟酒的顺序通常是从主宾开始的。

The order of pouring wine usually starts with the guest of honor.

从...开始 (starting from...).

1

他那番斟酒的举动，无意中化解了席间的尴尬气氛。

His act of pouring wine inadvertently diffused the awkward atmosphere at the table.

Complex subject with '举动' (action).

2

文人墨客聚在一起，斟酒吟诗，好不快活。

Literati and poets gathered together, pouring wine and reciting poems, feeling quite joyful.

Four-character idioms and 好不 (very).

3

他屏息凝神，缓缓斟酒，生怕惊扰了这份宁静。

He held his breath and poured wine slowly, for fear of disturbing the tranquility.

Literary adverbs and 生怕 (for fear that).

4

这杯斟满的酒，承载着他多年未见的思念。

This full cup of wine carries the longing he has felt over years of absence.

Metaphorical use of '斟满'.

5

他这种只顾自己喝酒而不为他人斟酒的行为，被视为失礼。

His behavior of only drinking for himself without pouring for others was seen as a breach of etiquette.

只顾...而不... (only care about... and not...).

6

在那个动荡的年代，斟酒送行往往意味着永别。

In those turbulent years, pouring wine for a farewell often meant a final goodbye.

Historical context and 往往 (often).

7

他斟酒时的那份从容，展现了他深厚的文化底蕴。

The calmness he showed while pouring wine revealed his profound cultural background.

展现 (reveal) + 文化底蕴 (cultural depth).

8

酒过三巡，他再次起身为众人斟酒，话语间多了几分感慨。

After three rounds of drinks, he stood up again to pour wine for everyone, his words filled with emotion.

酒过三巡 (after three rounds) idiom.

1

此番斟酒并非单纯的应酬，而是两人多年恩怨的了结。

This act of pouring wine was not simple socializing, but the resolution of years of grievances between the two.

并非...而是... (is not... but rather...).

2

他于月下独酌，时而斟酒，时而对月长叹。

He drank alone under the moon, occasionally pouring wine and occasionally sighing to the moon.

时而...时而... (sometimes... sometimes...).

3

在繁冗的礼节中，斟酒这一细节往往能窥见一个人的心性。

Amidst tedious rituals, the detail of pouring wine often allows a glimpse into a person's character.

窥见 (glimpse) and 心性 (inner nature).

4

他那双布满老茧的手，在斟酒时竟显得如此温柔。

His calloused hands actually appeared so gentle while pouring wine.

Contrast between '老茧' and '温柔'.

5

这一巡斟酒，不仅是礼数的周全，更是权力的博弈。

This round of wine-pouring was not only a completion of etiquette but also a game of power.

博弈 (game/play) metaphor.

6

他斟酒的节奏恰到好处，既不显仓促，也不觉拖沓。

The rhythm of his wine-pouring was just right, appearing neither rushed nor sluggish.

既不...也不... (neither... nor...).

7

古籍中关于斟酒仪轨的记载，为我们研究古代社交提供了依据。

The records of wine-pouring rituals in ancient texts provide a basis for our study of ancient social interaction.

Academic structure '为...提供依据'.

8

他将满腔的壮志豪情，尽数斟入这杯烈酒之中。

He poured all his lofty ambitions and heroic spirit into this cup of strong wine.

Abstract concept '斟入' (poured into).

Common Collocations

斟满
亲自斟酒
缓缓斟酒
为客斟酒
轮流斟酒
毕恭毕敬地斟酒
再次斟酒
停止斟酒
学习斟酒
满斟

Common Phrases

自斟自饮

— To pour and drink by oneself, often implying loneliness or peaceful solitude.

他在月下自斟自饮。

斟酒赔罪

— To pour wine as a way of apologizing to someone.

他特地斟酒赔罪，希望得到原谅。

斟酒接风

— To pour wine to welcome someone who has just arrived from a long journey.

我们要为他斟酒接风。

斟酒送行

— To pour wine as a farewell gesture for someone leaving.

临别之际，他为好友斟酒送行。

斟茶倒水

— A general phrase for serving guests drinks (tea and water).

他每天忙着为客人斟茶倒水。

满斟绿蚁

— A literary way to describe pouring unfiltered wine (archaic).

新酿的酒，满斟绿蚁。

斟酒示意

— To pour wine as a signal or gesture of acknowledgment.

他向远处的熟人斟酒示意。

忙着斟酒

— To be busy serving drinks to others.

女主人正忙着斟酒，没时间坐下。

斟酒助兴

— To pour wine to add to the fun or excitement of an event.

大家唱歌跳舞，斟酒助兴。

斟酒言欢

— To pour wine and chat happily together.

老友重逢，斟酒言欢。

Idioms & Expressions

"斟酌损益"

— To deliberate on what to add or remove; to weigh the pros and cons.

这件事情需要我们仔细斟酌损益。

Formal/Literary
"自斟自酌"

— Pouring and drinking alone; can be used metaphorically for thinking things through alone.

他一个人在角落里自斟自酌。

Neutral
"酒满敬人"

— A full cup of wine shows respect (etiquette rule).

记得要把杯子倒满，酒满敬人嘛。

Oral/Cultural
"对酒当歌"

— To sing while facing wine; to enjoy life while one can.

对酒当歌，人生几何？

Literary
"杯盘狼藉"

— Cups and plates in disorder; the messy state after a banquet where wine was poured freely.

宴会结束，桌上杯盘狼藉。

Literary
"推杯换盏"

— To push cups and change glasses; a lively scene of drinking and pouring together.

席间众人推杯换盏，好不热闹。

Literary
"举杯邀月"

— To raise a cup and invite the moon (from Li Bai's poem).

他举杯邀月，自斟自饮。

Literary
"金樽美酒"

— Fine wine in a golden vessel; implies high-quality wine-pouring.

金樽美酒斗十千。

Literary
"酌盈剂虚"

— To pour from the full to fill the empty; to balance things out.

理财之道在于酌盈剂虚。

Academic
"低斟浅唱"

— To pour wine slowly and sing softly; describing a leisurely, refined life.

他向往那种低斟浅唱的日子。

Literary

Word Family

Nouns

酒 (jiǔ - alcohol)
酒杯 (jiǔbēi - wine glass)
酒壶 (jiǔhú - wine pot)
斟酌 (zhēnzhuó - deliberation)

Verbs

斟 (zhēn - to pour/deliberate)
酌 (zhuó - to pour/drink/consider)
倒 (dào - to pour)

Adjectives

斟满的 (zhēnmǎn de - filled to the brim)

Related

礼仪 (lǐyí - etiquette)
宴会 (yànhuì - banquet)
宾客 (bīnkè - guests)
长辈 (zhǎngbèi - elders)
服务 (fúwù - service)
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Word Origin

The character '斟' (zhēn) is a phono-semantic compound. The left side '甚' (shèn) provides the sound (though the pronunciation has shifted), and the right side '斗' (dǒu) is the semantic component, referring to a measuring ladle or a scoop used for liquids.

Original meaning: Originally, '斟' meant to use a ladle to scoop out liquid from a large vessel, often implying careful measurement.

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