Chinese word

美德

Pronunciation

Pinyinměi dé

Meaning

  • nounvirtue

Example

诚实是一种美德。chéng shí shì yì zhǒng měi dé

Honesty is a virtue.

Illustration for 美德 (virtue)

More examples

尊重他人的权利也是一种美德。zūn zhòng tā rén de quán lì yě shì yì zhǒng měi dé

Respecting other people's rights is also a virtue.

Core concept

Goodness in character that earns respect when it guides a person's actions.

Common phrases

  • 弘扬美德hóng yáng měi dé

    promote virtue

  • 个人美德gè rén měi dé

    personal virtue

  • 社会美德shè huì měi dé

    social virtue

Similar words

道德dào dé: A set of ideas about what behavior and thinking are right.
品德pǐn dé: The moral quality that a person's character and behavior display.
诚信chéng xìn: The quality of being honest, keeping promises, and earning trust.
德行dé xíng: Morally good behavior carried out by a person.

Definition in Chinese

值得称赞的道德品质，指人内在的良善以及表现在行为上的正当举止。zhí de chēng zàn de dào dé pǐn zhì zhǐ rén nèi zài de liáng shàn yǐ jí biǎo xiàn zài xíng wèi shàng de zhèng dāng jú zhǐ

Word origin

美 (měi, "good; admirable") + 德 (dé, "moral character") forms a word for admirable moral character rather than physical beauty or general skill.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this noun has a respectful, slightly formal tone, so it suits reflective comments about character better than a quick reaction to one helpful act.

Opposites

  • 恶行è xíngimmoral conductnoun
  • 恶习è xívicenoun

Word lists with this word