'佩服' (pèi fú) is a verb meaning 'to admire deeply'—not just liking someone, but feeling genuine respect for their qualities, achievements, or character. The first character 佩 (pèi) originally meant 'to wear at the waist' (like a jade pendant), symbolizing something valued and close to one’s heart; the second 服 (fú) means 'to submit' or 'to be convinced', implying heartfelt acknowledgment rather than mere approval. Together, they convey admiration so strong it moves you inwardly.

This word is commonly used in spoken and written Chinese when expressing sincere respect—for example, toward someone’s perseverance, integrity, skill, or moral courage. It often appears after subject + object constructions (e.g., 我很佩服他) and can take complements like 得 + result (e.g., 佩服得五体投地). Unlike casual praise words like 喜欢 or 赞赏, 佩服 carries emotional weight and implies the admired person has overcome difficulty or demonstrated exceptional virtue.