zhèngyì: 正义 - Justice, Righteousness

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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 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…”.

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.

• 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.