正人君子

Pronunciation: zhèng rén jūn zǐ Literal meaning: Upright gentleman

Origin & Usage

The idiom 正人君子 (zhèng rén jūn zǐ) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe a person of upright character and high moral standards. The term is composed of two parts: 正人 (zhèng rén), meaning 'upright person,' and 君子 (jūn zǐ), which refers to a 'gentleman' or a person of noble conduct. Historically, 君子 was a term used to describe members of the educated and virtuous scholar-official class. This idiom is found in historical texts such as the 《旧唐书》 (Old Book of Tang) and 《新唐书》 (New Book of Tang), where it was used to praise individuals who were morally upright. In modern usage, however, it often carries a sarcastic tone, implying someone who appears virtuous but is hypocritical. This dual usage highlights the complexity of moral judgment in social and political contexts.

Examples

English: "He is regarded as a virtuous gentleman who always acts with honor and respect."

Chinese: 他被视为正人君子，总是以荣誉和尊重行事。