正直

• Pinyin: zhèng zhí
• Hanzi breakdown: 正 = 一 + 止 (upright); 直 = 十 + 目 + 一 (straight — an eye looking straight)

Meaning

Upright; honest and principled. Possessing moral integrity and refusing to engage in dishonest or corrupt behaviour.

A classical virtue describing someone who adheres to moral principles regardless of personal cost. Often used to describe officials, judges, and moral exemplars. Contrasted with 奸诈 (crafty/treacherous).

Examples

1. 他为人正直，从不接受任何形式的贿赂。 He’s an upright person and would never accept any kind of bribe.
2. 一个正直的法官应该秉公执法，不受外界干扰。 An upright judge should enforce the law impartially and not be swayed by outside interference.
3. 父亲教导孩子们做人要正直，不可投机取巧。 His father taught the children to be honest and principled, and not to look for shortcuts or opportunistic tricks.

Usage Guide

Context: character description, ethics, literature

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 他是一个正直的人，在同事中口碑极好。(He is an upright person with an excellent reputation among colleagues.)
• 正直善良是她最可贵的品质。(Uprightness and kindness are her most valuable qualities.)

Don't Say

• 这条路很正直 — for describing a straight road, use 笔直; 正直 is only for moral character

Origin & History

正 (upright/correct) + 直 (straight) — morally straight and upright

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal