Chinese word

光明磊落

Pronunciation

Pinyinguāng míng lěi luò

Meaning

  • idiomopen and honest

Example

他为人光明磊落，大家都信任他。tā wéi rén guāng míng lěi luò dà jiā dōu xìn rèn tā

He is open and honest, so everyone trusts him.

Illustration for 光明磊落 (open and honest)

More examples

他在处理问题时总是光明磊落，很快就得到同事的支持。tā zài chú lǐ wèn tí shí zǒng shì guāng míng lěi luò hěn kuài jiù dé dào tóng shì de zhī chí

When he handles problems, he is always open and honest, and he soon gains his colleagues' support.

Core concept

A straight, well-lit path through a person's dealings, with no hidden turns or crooked steps.

Common phrases

  • 做事光明磊落zuò shì guāng míng lěi luò

    act openly and honestly

  • 为人光明磊落wéi rén guāng míng lěi luò

    be open and honest as a person

  • 态度光明磊落tài dù guāng míng lěi luò

    have an open and honest attitude

Similar words

光明正大guāng míng zhèng dà: Being fair and aboveboard, with no dishonesty or deception in one's actions.
开诚布公kāi chéng bù gōng: Making one's inner thoughts clear through frank and open discussion.
直言不讳zhí yán bú huì: Speaking frankly and directly without softening or hiding one's real opinion.
公私分明gōng sī fēn míng: Clearly separating public responsibilities from private matters in fair conduct.

Definition in Chinese

形容人性格正直、坦率，行事光明，不隐瞒。xíng róng rén xìng gé zhèng zhí tǎn shuài xíng shì guāng míng bù yǐn mán

Word origin

The idiom joins 光明 (guāngmíng, "bright and clear") with 磊落 (lěiluò, "open and straightforward"), combining clarity with a direct manner of conduct.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often describe one statement as clear, but this Chinese idiom normally praises a person's overall way of dealing with others.

Other meanings

  • fair and squareidiom

Opposites

  • 阴险狡诈yīn xiǎn jiǎo zhàsinister and craftyidiom
  • 鬼鬼祟祟guí guǐ suì suìsneakyidiom

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