光明磊落
光明磊落 (guāng míng lěi luò) literally means “bright and open-hearted”and expresses “upright and open; above board”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships & character.
Also searched as: guang ming lei luo, guang ming lei luo,光明磊落 meaning, 光明磊落 in english
Pronunciation: guāng míng lěi luò Literal meaning: Bright and open-hearted
Origin & Usage
This idiom combines 'bright and luminous' (光明) with 'open and upright' (磊落) to describe someone of impeccable moral character. The character 磊 depicts stones piled openly, suggesting nothing hidden. The phrase appears in Song Dynasty biographical texts praising officials who conducted themselves with complete transparency and integrity. It embodies the Confucian ideal of the junzi (gentleman) who has nothing to hide and whose actions can withstand scrutiny. Modern usage commends honest, forthright individuals in personal and professional contexts.
When to Use
Situation: He is known for his upright character and transparent dealings.
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
不远千里
bù yuǎn qiān lǐ
Willingly travel far; make great efforts
Learn more →
朝思暮想
zhāo sī mù xiǎng
Think about constantly; yearn for
Learn more →
魂牵梦萦
hún qiān mèng yíng
Yearn day and night
Learn more →
恋恋不舍
liàn liàn bù shě
Be deeply reluctant to leave
Learn more →
难分难舍
nán fēn nán shě
Be inseparable; hate to part
Learn more →
海枯石烂
hǎi kū shí làn
Until the end of time; eternal love
Learn more →
一见钟情
yī jiàn zhōng qíng
Love at first sight
Learn more →
白头偕老
bái tóu xié lǎo
Grow old together; lifelong partnership
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 光明磊落 mean in English?
光明磊落 (guāng míng lěi luò) literally translates to “Bright and open-hearted”and is used to express “Upright and open; above board”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theRelationships & Character category..
When is 光明磊落 used?
Situation: He is known for his upright character and transparent dealings.
What is the pinyin for 光明磊落?
The pinyin pronunciation for 光明磊落 is “guāng míng lěi luò”.