威信
Meanings
1
Refers to the social weight, credibility, or moral authority of a person, organization, or nation. Often used in formal or political contexts.
The minister's prestige was greatly damaged by that gaffe.
We must maintain Japan's standing in the international community.
Usage patterns
- 〈物・事〉に威信をかけるto stake one's prestige on something
It's a project on which the nation's prestige is staked.
- 威信を保つto maintain one's prestige
They strengthened quality control to maintain the company's prestige.
- 威信を失うto lose one's prestige
When the fraud came to light, the company lost its prestige.
- 威信が傷つくfor one's prestige to be damaged
The scandal damaged the government's prestige.
Expressions
- 威信にかかわるaffect one's prestige; be beneath one's dignity