大公无私
大公无私 (dà gōng wú sī) literally means “great public no private” and expresses “completely impartial without self-interest”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: da gong wu si, da gong wu si,大公无私 meaning, 大公无私 in english
Completely impartial without self-interest
Pronunciation: dà gōng wú sī Literal meaning: Great public no private
Origin & Usage
Han Dynasty administrative manuals first set this standard of great fairness (大公) without self-interest (无私) for imperial officials. Tang Dynasty Neo-Confucian philosophers expanded it into a broader ethical ideal. The phrase gains power from its absolute nature - not just minimizing but completely eliminating private interest in public service. Today it sets a standard for judicial conduct and organizational leadership.
When to Use
Situation: The judge recused herself from the case involving her former colleague
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Living up to one's name or reputation
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To be true to one's word
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Maintain absolute silence about sensitive matter
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Talk complete nonsense without any foundation
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Commanding imposing strategic position
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 大公无私 mean in English?
大公无私 (dà gōng wú sī) literally translates to “Great public no private” and is used to express “Completely impartial without self-interest”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 大公无私 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving completely impartial without self-interest.
What is the pinyin for 大公无私?
The pinyin pronunciation for 大公无私 is “dà gōng wú sī”.