公正

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gōngzhèng: 公正 - Just, Fair, Impartial

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: gōngzhèng, 公正, what does gongzheng mean, Chinese for just, Chinese for fair, impartial in Chinese, justice in Chinese, fairness in Chinese law, gongzheng vs gongping, legal Chinese terms
  • Summary: Discover the meaning of 公正 (gōngzhèng), the essential Chinese word for “just,” “fair,” and “impartial.” This guide explores how gōngzhèng is used in crucial legal, social, and official contexts, moving beyond a simple translation to reveal its deep cultural significance related to systemic justice and equity in Chinese society. Learn to distinguish it from the similar word 公平 (gōngpíng), use it correctly in sentences, and understand its vital role in modern China.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): gōngzhèng
  • Part of Speech: Adjective, Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: To be just, impartial, and fair, typically in an official, legal, or procedural capacity.
  • In a Nutshell: 公正 (gōngzhèng) describes a type of fairness that is objective, unbiased, and principled. Think of a judge's ruling, a referee's call, or a formal evaluation system. It's less about personal feelings of “what's fair to me” and more about applying a consistent set of rules or moral principles equally to everyone. It carries a serious, formal tone and relates to the integrity of a system or a person in a position of authority.

Character Breakdown

  • 公 (gōng): This character means “public,” “common,” or “official.” It is found in words like 公共 (gōnggòng - public) and 公司 (gōngsī - company). It evokes a sense of openness and community-facing matters.
  • 正 (zhèng): This character means “correct,” “straight,” “proper,” or “upright.” It's the 'zhèng' in 正确 (zhèngquè - correct). It implies adherence to a standard and a lack of deviation.
  • Combined Meaning: The characters together literally mean “publicly correct” or “officially upright.” This powerfully conveys the modern meaning of 公正: a fairness that is not private or biased, but rather an impartial standard that is applied openly and correctly for all to see.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • 公正 (gōngzhèng) is a cornerstone of both traditional and modern Chinese concepts of order and governance. It's deeply rooted in the philosophical ideal of how a state and its officials should function.
  • In both Confucianism and Legalism, a just and stable society relies on 公正. A virtuous ruler or official (君子, jūnzǐ) was expected to be impartial, while Legalist thought emphasized that the law (法, fǎ) itself must be the ultimate, unwavering source of 公正, applied to all without exception.
  • Comparison to Western “Justice”: While “justice” is a close translation, it's not a perfect match. In the West, “justice” is often strongly linked to individual rights, liberties, and freedoms (“liberty and justice for all”). 公正 in a Chinese context often places a greater emphasis on the correct functioning of the system, the restoration of social harmony (和谐, héxié), and the maintenance of public order. A decision is 公正 because it upholds the integrity of the rules and serves the collective good, which is considered the highest form of fairness. It's fairness for the sake of societal stability.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • 公正 is a formal word used in serious contexts. It is not typically used in casual conversation about everyday fairness (for that, you would use 公平 (gōngpíng)).
  • Legal and Governmental Context: This is the most common use. It refers to court verdicts, laws, policies, and the conduct of officials.
    • e.g., 司法公正 (sīfǎ gōngzhèng) - “judicial justice/impartiality”
  • Business and Professional Settings: Used when discussing formal procedures like performance reviews, hiring processes, or contract bidding.
    • e.g., 我们保证招聘过程的公正性。(Wǒmen bǎozhèng zhāopìn guòchéng de gōngzhèng xìng.) - “We guarantee the impartiality of the hiring process.”
  • Competitions and Sports: Refers to the impartiality of referees, judges, and the rules of the game.
  • Media and Academia: A news report, historical account, or academic paper should strive to be 客观公正 (kèguān gōngzhèng) - “objective and impartial.”

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 法官的判决必须绝对公正。
    • Pinyin: Fǎguān de pànjué bìxū juéduì gōngzhèng.
    • English: A judge's verdict must be absolutely just.
    • Analysis: This is a classic example of 公正 used in a legal context. It highlights the high, uncompromising standard expected.
  • Example 2:
    • 我们需要建立一个更加公正合理的社会。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào jiànlì yīgè gèngjiā gōngzhèng hélǐ de shèhuì.
    • English: We need to build a more just and reasonable society.
    • Analysis: Here, 公正 is used as a high-level ideal for society, showing its function as both an adjective and a core societal value.
  • Example 3:
    • 历史会对他做出公正的评价。
    • Pinyin: Lìshǐ huì duì tā zuòchū gōngzhèng de píngjià.
    • English: History will make a fair judgment of him.
    • Analysis: This sentence shows 公正 applied to an abstract concept (historical judgment), implying an ultimate, objective, and correct assessment over time.
  • Example 4:
    • 作为裁判，你必须时刻保持公正。
    • Pinyin: Zuòwéi cáipàn, nǐ bìxū shíkè bǎochí gōngzhèng.
    • English: As a referee, you must remain impartial at all times.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates the word's use in the context of sports and competitions, focusing on the procedural fairness of the person in charge.
  • Example 5:
    • 这次公开招标的程序非常公正透明。
    • Pinyin: Zhècì gōngkāi zhāobiāo de chéngxù fēicháng gōngzhèng tòumíng.
    • English: The procedure for this public bidding was very fair and transparent.
    • Analysis: This highlights its use in a business context, often paired with 透明 (tòumíng - transparent) to emphasize procedural integrity.
  • Example 6:
    • 新闻报道应该力求客观公正。
    • Pinyin: Xīnwén bàodào yīnggāi lìqiú kèguān gōngzhèng.
    • English: News reporting should strive to be objective and impartial.
    • Analysis: 客观公正 (kèguān gōngzhèng) is a very common collocation, meaning “objective and impartial,” a key principle in journalism and research.
  • Example 7:
    • 他要求公司给他一个公正的解释。
    • Pinyin: Tā yāoqiú gōngsī gěi tā yīgè gōngzhèng de jiěshì.
    • English: He demanded the company give him a just explanation.
    • Analysis: This shows an individual seeking recourse from an institution, appealing to the principle of 公正.
  • Example 8:
    • 我们都相信法律的公正。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen dōu xiāngxìn fǎlǜ de gōngzhèng.
    • English: We all believe in the justice of the law.
    • Analysis: Here, 公正 is used as a noun, meaning “justice” or “impartiality” as an attribute of the legal system.
  • Example 9:
    • 老师对每个学生的评价都很公正。
    • Pinyin: Lǎoshī duì měi gè xuéshēng de píngjià dōu hěn gōngzhèng.
    • English: The teacher's evaluation of every student is very fair.
    • Analysis: In an educational setting, 公正 refers to the teacher applying the same grading standards to everyone without favoritism.
  • Example 10:
    • 他是一位大公无私、为人公正的领导。
    • Pinyin: Tā shì yī wèi dàgōngwúsī, wéirén gōngzhèng de lǐngdǎo.
    • English: He is a selfless leader who deals with people justly.
    • Analysis: This shows 公正 used to describe a person's character, especially someone in a position of power. It's often associated with the idiom 大公无私 (dàgōngwúsī - selfless/impartial).

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • The single most common mistake for learners is confusing 公正 (gōngzhèng) with 公平 (gōngpíng). They both translate to “fair,” but are not interchangeable.
    • 公正 (gōngzhèng): Impartiality & Principle. Refers to the fairness of a *process, system, or authority figure*. It's about unbiased application of rules. Think of a judge, a referee, or a law.
    • 公平 (gōngpíng): Equity & Outcome. Refers to the fairness of a *result or distribution*. It's about everyone getting their deserved share. Think of splitting a pizza, dividing work, or equal pay for equal work.
  • Incorrect Usage Example:
    • WRONG: 妈妈把蛋糕分得不公正，他比我多一块！ (Māmā bǎ dàngāo fēn dé bù gōngzhèng, tā bǐ wǒ duō yīkuài!)
    • Why it's wrong: This is about the outcome of distribution, not a formal, procedural judgment.
    • CORRECT: 妈妈把蛋糕分得不公平，他比我多一块！ (Māmā bǎ dàngāo fēn dé bù gōngpíng, tā bǐ wǒ duō yīkuài!) - “Mom didn't divide the cake fairly, he got one more piece than me!”

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 公平 (gōngpíng) - The most critical related term. Means “fair” or “equitable,” focusing on outcomes and distribution rather than procedural impartiality.
  • 正义 (zhèngyì) - “Justice” or “righteousness.” A broader, more philosophical, and often moral concept. While 公正 is the tool, 正义 is the grand ideal.
  • 法律 (fǎlǜ) - “Law.” The system that is ideally designed to deliver 公正.
  • 法官 (fǎguān) - “Judge.” The person whose professional duty is to be 公正.
  • 客观 (kèguān) - “Objective.” Frequently paired with 公正 to mean “objective and impartial.”
  • 偏袒 (piāntǎn) - (Verb) “To be partial to; to favor one side.” The direct opposite action of being 公正.
  • 不公 (bùgōng) - (Adjective) “Unjust; unfair.” A general antonym that can describe a lack of either 公正 or 公平.
  • 大公无私 (dà gōng wú sī) - An idiom meaning “perfectly impartial and selfless.” It is the highest praise for someone's 公正 character.
  • 裁判 (cáipàn) - “Referee; umpire.” A person who must embody 公正 during a competition.