正义

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正义 [2025/08/10 03:38] – created xiaoer正义 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
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-====== zhèngyì: 正义 - Justice, Righteousness ====== +
-===== Quick Summary ===== +
-  * **Keywords:** zhèngyì, 正义, Chinese for justice, righteousness in Chinese, what is zhengyi, social justice in China, Chinese philosophy justice, zhengyi vs gongping, moral rightness in Chinese, 正義. +
-  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **正义 (zhèngyì)**, the powerful Chinese word for "justice" and "righteousness." More than just a legal term, **zhèngyì** is a core cultural concept rooted in morality, social harmony, and the philosophical duty to do what is right. This page explores its character origins, its role in modern China from courtrooms to superhero movies, and how it differs from the Western idea of "justice" and the Chinese concept of "fairness" (公平, gōngpíng). +
-===== Core Meaning ===== +
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhèng yì +
-  * **Part of Speech:** Noun +
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 +
-  * **Concise Definition:** Justice; righteousness; the quality of being morally right and fair. +
-  * **In a Nutshell:** **正义 (zhèngyì)** is the fundamental concept of what is good, right, and just. Think of it as the principle that heroes, righteous officials, and good people fight to uphold. While it includes legal justice, it leans more heavily on a moral, social, and even heroic sense of right versus wrong. It's not just about rules being followed; it's about good triumphing over evil. +
-===== Character Breakdown ===== +
-  * **正 (zhèng):** This character originally depicted a foot (止) walking towards a target or gate (一), symbolizing moving in the "correct" direction. Today, it means "correct," "straight," "proper," or "upright." +
-  * **义 (yì):** A very important character in Chinese philosophy. It's a combination of 羊 (yáng - sheep, a symbol of goodness and sacrifice) over 我 (wǒ - I, me). It represents a sense of "righteousness," "duty," or what is morally appropriate for "me" to do. It implies a personal commitment to doing the right thing for the greater good. +
-When combined, **正 (zhèng)** and **义 (yì)** create **正义 (zhèngyì)**, a term that literally means "upright righteousness" or "correct justice." It carries the weight of both being factually correct and morally righteous. +
-===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== +
-**正义 (zhèngyì)** is a cornerstone of Chinese moral philosophy, deeply influenced by Confucianism. The character **义 (yì)** is one of the "Five Constants" (五常, wǔcháng), the cardinal virtues of Confucianism. It represents a moral disposition to do good, a sense of duty that goes beyond personal gain. +
-A helpful comparison for Western learners is to contrast **正义 (zhèngyì)** with the Western concept of "Justice." +
-  * **Western Justice:** Often personified as Lady Justice, who is blindfolded and holding scales. The emphasis is on impartiality, evidence, and a structured legal process. It can be seen as a cold, objective system. +
-  * **Chinese 正义 (zhèngyì):** While it encompasses legal justice, it is fundamentally a //moral// concept. It is not blind; it actively sees right and wrong. It's about restoring a moral balance to society, protecting the weak, and punishing evil. It aligns more with the idea of "righteousness" or "cosmic justice" and is heavily linked to social harmony. An act of **正义** isn't just procedurally correct; it feels emotionally and morally satisfying to the community. +
-This value is reflected in countless Chinese stories, from ancient tales of upright officials to modern //wuxia// (martial arts hero) films, where the protagonist's ultimate goal is always to fight for **正义**. +
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== +
-**正义 (zhèngyì)** is a formal and powerful word used in a variety of serious contexts. +
-  * **In Law and Politics:** You'll hear **正义** used constantly in news reports, legal discussions, and political speeches. Phrases like "司法正义" (sīfǎ zhèngyì - judicial justice) and "社会正义" (shèhuì zhèngyì - social justice) are common. +
-  * **Describing Character:** To say someone has a strong sense of justice, you use the term "有正义感" (yǒu zhèngyì gǎn - to have a sense of justice). This is a high compliment, describing someone who stands up for what's right, even when it's difficult. +
-  * **In Pop Culture and Storytelling:** **正义** is the driving force for almost every hero in Chinese movies, TV shows, and video games. The classic theme is "**正义**战胜邪恶" (zhèngyì zhànshèng xié'è - justice triumphs over evil). +
-  * **In Everyday Conversation:** While less common for trivial matters, people might use it when discussing serious injustices they see in society or when expressing a desire for a wrong to be righted. For example, "我们必须为他讨回**正义**" (Wǒmen bìxū wèi tā tǎohuí **zhèngyì** - We must get justice for him). +
-===== Example Sentences ===== +
-  * **Example 1:** +
-    * 他是一个充满**正义**感的人。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā shì yī gè chōngmǎn **zhèngyì** gǎn de rén. +
-    * English: He is a person full of a sense of justice. +
-    * Analysis: "正义感" (zhèngyì gǎn) is a set phrase meaning "a sense of justice." This is a common way to describe a person's character. +
-  * **Example 2:** +
-    * **正义**终将战胜邪恶。 +
-    * Pinyin: **Zhèngyì** zhōngjiāng zhànshèng xié'è. +
-    * English: Justice will eventually triumph over evil. +
-    * Analysis: This is a classic, almost proverbial sentence you'd hear in stories, movies, or speeches to express hope and moral certainty. +
-  * **Example 3:** +
-    * 我们相信法律会带来**正义**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒmen xiāngxìn fǎlǜ huì dàilái **zhèngyì**. +
-    * English: We believe the law will bring justice. +
-    * Analysis: This sentence connects **正义** directly to the legal system (法律, fǎlǜ), showing its formal application. +
-  * **Example 4:** +
-    * 实现社会**正义**是每个人的责任。 +
-    * Pinyin: Shíxiàn shèhuì **zhèngyì** shì měi gè rén de zérèn. +
-    * English: Achieving social justice is everyone's responsibility. +
-    * Analysis: "社会正义" (shèhuì zhèngyì) is the standard term for "social justice," a key concept in modern political and social discourse worldwide. +
-  * **Example 5:** +
-    * 英雄们为了**正义**而战。 +
-    * Pinyin: Yīngxióngmen wèile **zhèngyì** ér zhàn. +
-    * English: The heroes fight for the sake of justice. +
-    * Analysis: The structure "为了...而..." (wèile... ér...) means "in order to... do...". This highlights **正义** as a noble cause or motivation. +
-  * **Example 6:** +
-    * 这位记者致力于揭露不公，伸张**正义**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zhè wèi jìzhě zhìlìyú jiēlù bùgōng, shēnzhāng **zhèngyì**. +
-    * English: This reporter is dedicated to exposing injustice and upholding justice. +
-    * Analysis: "伸张正义" (shēnzhāng zhèngyì) is a crucial verb-object collocation that means "to uphold/promote/see that justice is done." +
-  * **Example 7:** +
-    * 这是一个缺乏**正义**的判决。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zhè shì yī gè quēfá **zhèngyì** de pànjué. +
-    * English: This is a verdict that lacks justice. +
-    * Analysis: This shows how to use **正义** in a negative sense, to critique a situation or outcome as being unjust. "缺乏" (quēfá) means "to lack." +
-  * **Example 8:** +
-    * 很多人走上街头，呼唤**正义**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Hěn duō rén zǒu shàng jiētóu, hūhuàn **zhèngyì**. +
-    * English: Many people took to the streets, calling for justice. +
-    * Analysis: "呼唤" (hūhuàn) means "to call out for." This depicts **正义** as something that a community can demand. +
-  * **Example 9:** +
-    * 他的行为代表了**正义**的力量。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi dàibiǎole **zhèngyì** de lìliàng. +
-    * English: His actions represented the power of justice. +
-    * Analysis: This frames **正义** not just as a concept, but as an active "power" or "force" (力量, lìliàng) in the world. +
-  * **Example 10:** +
-    * 在**正义**面前，我们都是平等的。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zài **zhèngyì** miànqián, wǒmen dōu shì píngděng de. +
-    * English: In the face of justice, we are all equal. +
-    * Analysis: This sentence uses **正义** as an absolute principle, similar to how one might speak of "the Law" in English. "在...面前" (zài... miànqián) means "in front of..." or "in the face of...". +
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== +
-The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing **正义 (zhèngyì)** with **公平 (gōngpíng)**. +
-  *   **正义 (zhèngyì): Justice, Righteousness.** A grand, moral, often black-and-white concept of right vs. wrong. It's about upholding moral principles. +
-  *   **公平 (gōngpíng): Fairness, Impartiality.** A more practical, everyday concept about equal treatment and unbiased process. It's about making sure everyone gets the same opportunities or shares. +
-**Analogy:** +
-  *   Fighting a dragon to save a village is an act of **正义 (zhèngyì)**. +
-  *   Dividing the dragon's treasure equally among the villagers is an act of **公平 (gōngpíng)**. +
-**Incorrect Usage:** +
-  *   **Wrong:** My brother got a bigger piece of cake than me. 这不是**正义**！(Zhè bùshì **zhèngyì**!) +
-  *   **Reason:** This is a minor issue of unequal distribution, not a grand moral battle. It's about fairness, not justice. +
-  *   **Correct:** My brother got a bigger piece of cake than me. 这不**公平**！(Zhè bù **gōngpíng**!) +
-Avoid using **正义** for small, personal grievances. Reserve it for situations involving significant moral or legal principles. +
-===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== +
-  *   [[公平]] (gōngpíng) - Fairness, impartiality. The most important related term to distinguish from **正义**. +
-  *   [[正义感]] (zhèngyì gǎn) - A sense of justice. The personal character trait of being righteous. +
-  *   [[道德]] (dàodé) - Morality, ethics. The philosophical system upon which the concept of **正义** is based. +
-  *   [[邪恶]] (xié'è) - Evil, wicked. The direct antonym and opposing force to **正义**. +
-  *   [[英雄]] (yīngxióng) - Hero. The person who typically fights for or embodies **正义**. +
-  *   [[法律]] (fǎlǜ) - Law. The formal system often tasked with carrying out **正义**. +
-  *   [[公道]] (gōngdào) - Justice, fairness. Very similar to **正义**, but often used in the context of seeking redress for a specific grievance (e.g., 讨个公道, tǎo ge gōngdào - to seek justice/fair treatment). It can feel more personal than the grand principle of **正义**. +
-  *   [[伸张正义]] (shēnzhāng zhèngyì) - A set phrase meaning "to uphold justice" or "to see that justice is done." Very common and useful.+