天经地义

Pronunciation: tiān jīng dì yì Literal meaning: Heaven's law, earth's norm

Origin & Usage

The idiom 天经地义 (tiān jīng dì yì) originates from the classical text 《左传》 (Zuo Zhuan), specifically from the narrative of the Zhou dynasty's succession dispute in 520 BCE. After the death of King Jing of Zhou, a conflict arose over the rightful heir. During this turmoil, a discussion on the nature of '礼' (lǐ, rites) took place, where it was described as '天之经' (tiān zhī jīng, the principles of heaven) and '地之义' (dì zhī yì, the norms of earth). This idiom emphasizes the importance of adhering to fundamental principles and natural laws. In modern usage, it signifies actions or beliefs that are universally accepted as right and proper, such as filial piety or moral duties.

Examples

English: "In his speech, he emphasized the importance of justice and morality in society."

Chinese: 在他的演讲中，他强调了社会中正义和道德的重要性。