HSK · Level 64
105 words
Chinese word
正当
Pronunciation
Pinyinzhèng dàng
Meaning
- adjectivereasonable
Example
你的担心是正当的。nǐ de dān xīn shì zhèng dàng de
Your concern is reasonable.
More examples
法院认定他的行为属于正当防卫。fǎ yuàn rèn dìng tā de xíng wéi shǔ yú zhèng dàng fáng wèi
The court found that his actions constituted legitimate self-defense.
Core concept
A claim or action fits the circumstances and accepted rules, with sound grounds behind it.
Common phrases
正当理由zhèng dāng lǐ yóu
legitimate reason
正当防卫zhèng dàng fáng wèi
self-defense
正当程序zhèng dāng chéng xù
due process
Similar words
合理hé lǐ: A view, reason, or plan is logical and consistent with the facts, without anything unreasonable.
适当shì dàng: Suitable for the situation or purpose and at the right level.
妥当tuǒ dàng: Suitable for the situation and likely to work well in practice.
合法hé fǎ: Allowed by law and not against legal rules.
Definition in Chinese
根据情况合理、合乎情理并具有正当理由的。gēn jù qíng kuàng hé lǐ hé hū qíng lǐ bìng jù yǒu zhèng dāng lǐ yóu de
Word origin
正 (zhèng, "upright") + 当 (dāng, "fitting") combine the ideas of being correct and fitting the situation, forming a word for a sound and properly grounded basis.
Usage tips
- For everyday Chinese, this adjective often evaluates the basis for a view or action, not whether the speaker likes the result, so it separates a well-grounded position from a personal preference.
Other meanings
- justifiedadjective
- legaladjective
Opposites
- 不正当bú zhèng dāngnot legitimateadjective
- 非法fēi fǎillegaladjective
Related words
- 正当性zhèng dāng xìnglegitimacynoun
- 正当化zhèng dāng huàjustifyverb