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

HSK 6

评论员义正词严，令人信服。

Pínglùnyuán yìzhèng-cíyán, lìngrén xìnfú.

The commentator's principled, firm tone was convincing.

HSK 7-9

他义正词严地拒绝了贿赂。

Tā yìzhèng-cíyán de jùjué le huìlù.

He refused the bribe with righteous firmness.

HSK 7-9

面对不公，她义正词严地抗议。

Miànduì bùgōng, tā yìzhèng-cíyán de kàngyì.

Faced with injustice, she protested with moral authority.

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