Definition
正直 (zhèng zhí) describes a person's moral character as honest, upright, and principled — it emphasizes integrity and fairness. 诚实 (chéng shí) focuses on truthfulness and not lying, while 端正 (duān zhèng) can also mean upright but often refers to proper appearance, attitude, or handwriting. 正直 is more about moral rectitude.
adjective
honestuprightupstanding
Easily confused
- 政治zhèng zhìsound-alikepolitics
- 争执zhēng zhísound-aliketo argue; to dispute; to wrangle
- 整治zhěng zhìsound-aliketo bring under control, to regulate (a problem, river, traffic, etc.)
Examples
- 正直。Tā shì yí wèi zhèng zhí de fǎguān.He is an upright judge.
- 正直，。Zuòrén yào zhèng zhí, bù néng sāhuǎng.One must be honest and not lie.
- 正直。Tā de zhèng zhí xìnggé yíngdé le dàjiā de zūnzhòng.Her upright character won everyone's respect.
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