高风亮节

高風亮節

gāofēng-liàngjié

idiom #62,502

Meanings

1 noble character and unshakable integrity
2 lofty principles and firm moral standards
3 of exemplary moral stature

Characters

bright, upright

integrity, moral principle

Examples

HSK 7-9

这位老教授一生高风亮节，深受学生敬仰。

Zhè wèi lǎo jiàoshòu yìshēng gāofēng-liàngjié, shēnshòu xuésheng jìngyǎng.

This old professor lived his whole life with noble character and integrity, deeply respected by his students.

HSK 7-9

他在利益面前毫不动摇，展现出真正的高风亮节。

Tā zài lìyì miànqián háobù dòngyáo, zhǎnxiàn chū zhēnzhèng de gāofēng-liàngjié.

He didn't waver in the face of personal gain, showing true moral integrity.

HSK 7-9

人们用高风亮节来赞美他的品格。

Rénmen yòng gāofēng-liàngjié lái zànměi tā de pǐngé.

People praise his character as noble and principled.

Tips

history

Refined from Song critic Hu Zai's 《苕溪渔隐丛话后集》, praising Tao Yuanming's 高风峻节 - 'lofty manner and stern principles.' Over time 峻 softened to 亮 ('bright, upright'), giving today's standard form.

register

Formal and laudatory. Use in eulogies, obituaries, and serious tributes. Not for casual compliments. Reserve for lifetimes of demonstrated integrity, not one-off good deeds.

Stroke Order

高 gāo

风 fēng

亮 liàng

节 jié