义正词严

義正詞嚴

yìzhèng-cíyán

idiom #45,903

Meanings

1 righteous in principle and stern in wording
2 speaking with moral authority
3 just cause expressed in forceful language

Characters

upright, correct

Examples

他义正词严地拒绝了贿赂。

Tā yìzhèngcíyán de jùjué le huìlù.

He refused the bribe with righteous firmness.

面对不公，她义正词严地抗议。

Miànduì bùgōng, tā yìzhèngcíyán de kàngyì.

Faced with injustice, she protested with moral authority.

评论员义正词严，令人信服。

Pínglùnyuán yìzhèngcíyán, lìngrén xìnfú.

The commentator's principled, firm tone was convincing.

Tips

usage

Also written 义正辞严 (same meaning, 词/辞 both mean 'words'). Describes speech that is both morally right and expressed forcefully — a strong term of approval.

Stroke Order

义 yì

正 zhèng

词 cí

严 yán