高风亮节

高風亮節

gāofēngliàngjié

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

这位老教授一生高风亮节，深受学生敬仰。

Zhè wèi lǎo jiàoshòu yìshēng gāofēngliàngjié, shēn shòu xuésheng jìngyǎng.

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

他在利益面前毫不动摇，展现出真正的高风亮节。

Tā zài lìyì miànqián háo bù dòngyáo, zhǎnxiàn chū zhēnzhèng de gāofēngliàngjié.

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

人们用高风亮节来赞美他的品格。

Rénmen yòng gāofēngliàngjié 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