端正

• Pinyin: duān zhèng
• Hanzi breakdown: 端 = 立 (stand) + 山 + 而 (compound, upright tip); 正 = 止 (stop) + 一 (horizontal line) — stopping precisely at the correct line

Meaning

Upright, proper, and correct in posture, appearance, or moral character. As a verb, to correct, straighten, or set right one's attitude or behaviour.

Used for physical bearing (坐姿端正 — sit up straight) and moral rectitude (品行端正 — upright character). As a verb: 端正态度 (correct one's attitude), 端正学风 (rectify academic conduct). The word conveys both external tidiness and internal moral soundness. Frequently appears in educational and official contexts.

Examples

1. 教师要求学生在课堂上坐姿端正，养成良好的学习习惯。 The teacher requires students to sit up straight in class and develop good study habits.
2. 他品行端正，从不利用职务之便谋取私利。 He is upright in character and never uses his position to seek personal gain.
3. 参加面试前，应先端正自己的心态，不必过于紧张。 Before an interview, you should get yourself in the right mindset and not be overly nervous.

Usage Guide

Context: education, ethics, workplace

Tone: approving

Do Say

• 学校在开学典礼上要求全体学生端正学习态度，切实把握每一次学习机会。(At the opening ceremony, the school asked all students to adopt a proper attitude toward learning and make the most of every opportunity.)
• 他面容端正，举止得体，给面试官留下了良好的第一印象。(His appearance was neat and upright, and his demeanor was appropriate, leaving a good first impression on the interviewers.)

Don't Say

• 端正这本书 — 端正 applies to posture, attitude, or character, not physical objects; say 摆正这本书 or 把书放端正 for physically straightening a book

Origin & History

端 (upright/straight end) + 正 (correct/proper)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal