堂堂正正

tángtángzhèngzhèng

idiom #27,654

Meanings

1 upright and above-board
2 dignified and honest
3 open and aboveboard
4 with great poise and integrity

Characters

hall; dignified; imposing

hall; dignified; imposing (repeated for emphasis)

upright; correct; proper

upright; correct; proper (repeated for emphasis)

Examples

做人要堂堂正正，不能做见不得人的事。

Zuòrén yào tángtáng zhèngzhèng, bù néng zuò jiàn bù dé rén de shì.

One should conduct oneself with integrity and not do things that can't bear scrutiny.

他堂堂正正地走进法庭，毫不慌张。

Tā tángtáng zhèngzhèng de zǒu jìn fǎtíng, háo bù huāngzhāng.

He walked into the courtroom with dignity and composure, without any panic.

Tips

usage

堂堂正正 emphasizes both bearing (堂堂 = imposing, dignified) and moral uprightness (正正 = proper, correct). It can describe a person's character or their manner of doing something. The CEDICT gloss also notes the military meaning: 'displaying strength and discipline.'

Stroke Order

堂 táng

正 zhèng