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
This idiom describes opening (开) sincerity (诚) and spreading (布) fairness (公). It originated from descriptions of Zhuge Liang's governance style - transparent and impartial. The phrase embodies ideal leadership that combines honesty with fairness. Modern usage describes candid, transparent communication and fair dealing that hides nothing and treats everyone equitably.
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
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一模一样
yī mú yī yàng
Exactly identical
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以心换心
yǐ xīn huàn xīn
Treat others as yourself
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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海纳百川
hǎi nà bǎi chuān
Accept all with open mind
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以和为贵
yǐ hé wéi guì
Value harmony above all
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抛砖引玉
pāo zhuān yǐn yù
Offer modest view to inspire better
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同舟共济
tóng zhōu gòng jì
Face challenges together
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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”.