Chinese word

对得起

Pronunciation

Pinyinduì de qǐ

Meaning

  • verblive with oneself

Example

这样做，你还对得起自己吗？zhè yàng zuò nǐ hái duì de qǐ zì jǐ ma

After doing this, can you still live with yourself?

Illustration for 对得起 (live with oneself)

More examples

既然你知道真相，就应该做出能对得起别人的选择。jì rán nǐ zhī dào zhēn xiàng jiù yīng gāi zuò chū néng duì de qǐ bié rén de xuǎn zé

Since you know the truth, you should make a choice that lets you do right by others.

Core concept

Conduct that honors what another person has given and what one's own conscience requires.

Common phrases

  • 对得起自己duì de qǐ zì jǐ

    live with oneself

  • 对得起别人duì de qǐ bié rén

    do right by others

Similar words

问心无愧wèn xīn wú kuì: Having no shame or regret when one's actions are judged by one's own conscience.
无愧wú kuì: Living up to an honor, title, or reputation through fitting conduct.
配得上pèi de shàng: Having enough value to suit a person or situation and merit the treatment it calls for.

Definition in Chinese

表示某人的行为或结果配得上对方的付出或自己的良心，没有亏欠或羞愧，能正面回应有关的期待。biǎo shì mǒu rén de xíng wéi huò jié guǒ pèi de shàng duì fāng de fù chū huò zì jǐ de liáng xīn méi yǒu kuī qiàn huò xiū kuì néng zhèng miàn huí yìng yǒu guān de qī dài

Word origin

对得起 (duìdeqǐ, "be worthy of") uses 对 (duì, "toward") with the potential complement 得起 (deqǐ, "can bear"), giving the phrase the sense of being able to answer for what one has done.

Usage tips

  • The word can evaluate conduct toward another person, not only personal success, so it fits situations involving trust, sacrifice, duty, or promises.

Other meanings

  • be proud ofverb
  • be worthy ofverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word