‘器重’ is a formal, literary verb meaning ‘to value highly’ or ‘to esteem greatly’, especially in reference to a person’s talent, character, or potential. The first character 器 (qì) originally means ‘vessel’ or ‘utensil’, but metaphorically implies ‘capacity’ or ‘instrumentality’ — someone worthy of being entrusted with responsibility. The second character 重 (zhòng) means ‘heavy’ or ‘weighty’, conveying seriousness, importance, and deep respect. Together, 器重 suggests treating someone as a valuable instrument — not just liking them, but actively relying on and investing in their abilities.

This word is commonly used in contexts involving mentorship, leadership, or professional recognition — for example, when a senior colleague publicly supports a junior’s promotion, or when a teacher consistently assigns challenging tasks to a promising student. It carries connotations of trust, long-term investment, and high expectations, and is rarely used in casual speech or among peers; it typically appears in written reports, biographies, or formal evaluations.