言行一致
言行一致 (yán xíng yī zhì) literally means “words and actions consistent” and expresses “practice what you preach”. 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: yan xing yi zhi, yan xing yi zhi,言行一致 meaning, 言行一致 in english
Practice what you preach
Pronunciation: yán xíng yī zhì
Literal meaning: Words and actions consistent
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes words (言) and actions (行) being consistent (一致). It values the alignment between what one says and what one does. The phrase warns against hypocrisy where promises don't match behavior. Modern usage emphasizes integrity and reliability, the trustworthiness that comes when someone's actions consistently match their words.
Examples
English: "A good leader practices what they preach."
Chinese: 好的领导者言行一致。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 言行一致 mean in English?
言行一致 (yán xíng yī zhì) literally translates to “Words and actions consistent” and is used to express “Practice what you preach”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 言行一致 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving practice what you preach.
What is the pinyin for 言行一致?
The pinyin pronunciation for 言行一致 is “yán xíng yī zhì”.