耿直

• Pinyin: gěng zhí
• Hanzi breakdown: 耿 = 耳 + 火 (bright-eared, morally alert); 直 = 十 + 目 + 一 (seeing straight)

Meaning

Straightforward; upright; candid. Describes a person who is honest and direct, often to the point of bluntness.

A positive character trait in Chinese culture implying moral uprightness and sincerity. Can sometimes imply social inflexibility. Often used to describe older generation figures.

Examples

1. 他为人耿直，从不说违心话。 He’s straightforward and never says anything he doesn’t truly mean.
2. 老局长是个耿直的人，敢于直言。 The former director is an upright, straightforward person who dares to speak frankly.
3. 耿直的性格让他在官场上吃了不少苦。 His bluntly straightforward personality caused him a lot of hardship in official circles.

Usage Guide

Context: character description, workplace, literature

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 他是个耿直的人，有话直说，从不拐弯抹角。(He is a candid man who speaks his mind directly without beating around the bush.)
• 她耿直的性格赢得了同事们的信任。(Her straightforward nature earned her colleagues' trust.)

Don't Say

• 耿直 as a criticism alone — in context it is almost always a compliment; use 固执 or 莽撞 when the bluntness causes harm

Origin & History

耿 = bright, upright (phonosemantic); 直 = straight, upright

Cultural Context

Generation: Older generations

Social background: Universal