开诚布公
开诚布公 (kāi chéng bù gōng) literally means “open sincerity, spread fairness” and expresses “be candid and fair”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: kai cheng bu gong, kai cheng bu gong,开诚布公 meaning, 开诚布公 in english
Be candid and fair
Pronunciation: kāi chéng bù gōng Literal meaning: Open sincerity, spread fairness
Origin & Usage
The Records of the Three Kingdoms assesses Zhuge Liang's administration in the words this phrase compresses: 开诚心，布公道 — he opened (开) his sincerity (诚) and spread out (布) impartial (公) dealing. Both verbs are physical and both concern display, which is the argument: the honesty and the fairness were not merely practised but made visible, so that people could see they were being treated alike. Negotiations and management, where what it asks for is candour conducted in the open.
Examples
English: "The manager handled the conflict with complete transparency."
Chinese: 经理开诚布公地处理了冲突。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
信口开河
xìn kǒu kāi hé
Talk irresponsibly; make things up
Learn more →
心诚则灵
xīn chéng zé líng
Genuine sincerity brings results; a faithful heart makes wishes come true
Learn more →
完璧归赵
wán bì guī zhào
Return something perfect
Learn more →
坐怀不乱
zuò huái bù luàn
Maintain perfect integrity despite temptation
Learn more →
不卑不亢
bù bēi bù kàng
Maintain perfect dignified composure
Learn more →
言而有信
yán ér yǒu xìn
To be true to one's word
Learn more →
叶公好龙
yè gōng hào lóng
Professed love hiding actual fear
Learn more →
大公无私
dà gōng wú sī
Completely impartial without self-interest
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 开诚布公 mean in English?
开诚布公 (kāi chéng bù gōng) literally translates to “Open sincerity, spread fairness” and is used to express “Be candid and fair”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 开诚布公 used?
Situation: The manager handled the conflict with complete transparency.
What is the pinyin for 开诚布公?
The pinyin pronunciation for 开诚布公 is “kāi chéng bù gōng”.