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. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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。
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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: This idiom applies when describing situations involving be candid and fair.
What is the pinyin for 开诚布公?
The pinyin pronunciation for 开诚布公 is “kāi chéng bù gōng”.