两袖清风

兩袖清風
liǎngxiù-qīngfēng
idiom #54,724

Meanings

  1. 1 with only a fresh breeze in one's sleeves
  2. 2 (of an official) honest and incorruptible
  3. 3 having clean hands; possessing nothing

Examples

HSK 5
Tā zuò le yībèizi guān, tuìxiū shí liǎngxiùqīngfēng.
He served as an official his whole life and retired with nothing but clean hands.
HSK 7-9
Zhèwèi lǎo xiànzhǎng yǐ liǎngxiùqīngfēng wénmíng xiānglǐ.
The old county chief was famous in the village for his incorruptibility.
HSK 7-9
Wǒ suīrán liǎngxiùqīngfēng, dàn huó de xīn'ānlǐdé.
I may have nothing in my pockets, but I live with a clear conscience.

Tips

culture
The image comes from old-style robes with wide sleeves used as pockets - empty sleeves billow with only the wind, signaling no stolen silver inside.
history
From the Yuan-dynasty poet 陈基's poem 《次韵吴江道中》: 两袖清风身欲飘,杖藜随月步长桥 - sleeves so light with breeze, the body almost floats.

Stroke Order

liǎng
xiù
qīng
fēng