chéngxìn: 诚信 - Integrity, Honesty, Trustworthiness

• Keywords: chengxin, 诚信, Chinese integrity, honesty in China, trustworthiness, Chinese business ethics, Confucian values, what does chengxin mean, keeping promises in Chinese
• Summary: Discover the deep cultural meaning of 诚信 (chéngxìn), a core Chinese value representing a powerful blend of honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness. More than just “not lying,” `诚信` is the foundational principle of keeping one's word and fulfilling commitments, crucial in business, social relationships, and traditional philosophy. This page breaks down its cultural significance, modern usage, and how it differs from Western concepts of integrity.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chéngxìn
• Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A state of being honest, trustworthy, and having integrity, especially in the context of fulfilling one's promises and obligations.
• In a Nutshell: `诚信` is not just about telling the truth. It's a weighty concept that combines sincerity (`诚`) with reliability (`信`). It means your words have weight because you can be trusted to act on them. Someone with `诚信` is dependable, honorable, and their promises are as good as gold. It's the bedrock of all stable relationships, from personal friendships to multi-million dollar business deals.

• 诚 (chéng): This character is composed of the radicals for “speech” (言 yán) and “to accomplish” or “succeed” (成 chéng). The combination beautifully illustrates the idea of “sincere speech” or words that are followed through to completion. It implies sincerity and truthfulness.
• 信 (xìn): This character combines the radicals for “person” (人 rén) and “speech” (言 yán). It originally depicted a person standing by their words, representing “trust,” “belief,” and “faithfulness.” A person's word (`言`) is the basis of how they are trusted.

When you put them together, `诚信 (chéngxìn)` creates a powerful, reinforced meaning: sincere speech that can be trusted, and a person who stands by their word, thereby earning others' faith and belief in them.

`诚信 (chéngxìn)` is a cornerstone of Chinese society, deeply rooted in Confucian philosophy. It is one of the Five Constant Virtues (五常, wǔcháng), alongside benevolence (仁), righteousness (义), propriety (礼), and wisdom (智). This places it at the very heart of what it means to be a moral and upstanding person (`君子`, jūnzǐ). A useful comparison for Western learners is to contrast `诚信` with the English concept of “integrity.” While they overlap, there's a key difference in emphasis:

• Western “Integrity” often emphasizes an internal moral compass. It's about being true to your own private values, regardless of whether others are watching. It's a very individualistic concept.
• Chinese `诚信 (chéngxìn)` has a stronger social and public component. It's about your reputation and reliability within the group. It is the fundamental currency for building and maintaining `关系 (guānxi)`. Without `诚信`, you cannot have good `guānxi` because no one can rely on you. Your word is your public bond, and breaking it damages not just a single deal, but your entire social standing. It is less about being true to yourself in isolation and more about being a trustworthy pillar of your community and network.

In modern China, the government heavily promotes `诚信` as a core socialist value to combat corruption and build a more reliable market economy, which is a foundational idea behind the Social Credit System.

`诚信` is a formal and highly respected term, used in a variety of serious contexts.

• In Business: This is perhaps its most common modern usage. A company's `诚信` is paramount. Phrases like `诚信经营 (chéngxìn jīngyíng - operating with integrity)` and `诚信合作 (chéngxìn hézuò - cooperating in good faith)` are everywhere. A lack of `诚信` can ruin a business's reputation (`信誉`, xìnyù).
• In Personal Relationships: To say someone `有诚信 (yǒu chéngxìn - has integrity)` is a very high compliment, implying they are a reliable and honorable friend. Conversely, to accuse someone of `没有诚信 (méiyǒu chéngxìn - lacking integrity)` is a severe condemnation of their character.
• As a Principle: It's often discussed as an abstract ideal or a personal principle to live by. People will talk about the importance of `诚信` in society.

• Example 1:
• 做生意，最重要的就是诚信。
• Pinyin: Zuò shēngyì, zuì zhòngyào de jiùshì chéngxìn.
• English: When doing business, the most important thing is integrity.
• Analysis: This is a classic example of `诚信` used as a core business principle. It's a noun here, referring to the concept itself.
• Example 2:
• 他是一个有诚信的人，答应你的事一定会做到。
• Pinyin: Tā shì yīgè yǒu chéngxìn de rén, dāyìng nǐ de shì yīdìng huì zuòdào.
• English: He is a trustworthy person; he will definitely do what he promised you.
• Analysis: Here, `有诚信 (yǒu chéngxìn)` is used to describe a person's character. Notice the direct link between having `诚信` and fulfilling a promise (`答应你的事一定会做到`).
• Example 3:
• 这家公司失去了客户的信任，就是因为缺乏诚信。
• Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī shīqùle kèhù de xìnrèn, jiùshì yīnwèi quēfá chéngxìn.
• English: This company lost its customers' trust precisely because it lacks integrity.
• Analysis: `缺乏诚信 (quēfá chéngxìn)` is a formal way to say “lacks integrity.” This sentence shows the direct consequence of not having `诚信`: losing trust (`信任`).
• Example 4:
• 我们要建立一个诚信的社会环境。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen yào jiànlì yīgè chéngxìn de shèhuì huánjìng.
• English: We need to build a social environment of integrity and trust.
• Analysis: In this example, `诚信` is used as an adjective to describe the kind of society they want to create. This phrasing is common in government or official contexts.
• Example 5:
• 我选择他做合作伙伴，看中的就是他的诚信。
• Pinyin: Wǒ xuǎnzé tā zuò hézuò huǒbàn, kànzhòng de jiùshì tā de chéngxìn.
• English: I chose him as a partner because of his integrity.
• Analysis: `看中 (kànzhòng)` means “to take a fancy to” or “to value.” This shows that `诚信` is an attribute that people actively look for and value in others.
• Example 6:
• 不管生意大小，我们都应该秉持诚信的原则。
• Pinyin: Bùguǎn shēngyì dàxiǎo, wǒmen dōu yīnggāi bǐngchí chéngxìn de yuánzé.
• English: Regardless of the size of the deal, we should all uphold the principle of integrity.
• Analysis: `秉持 (bǐngchí)` is a formal verb meaning “to uphold.” Paired with `原则 (yuánzé - principle)`, this sentence frames `诚信` as a fundamental rule to live/work by.
• Example 7:
• 他的行为严重损害了我们团队的诚信。
• Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi yánzhòng sǔnhàile wǒmen tuánduì de chéngxìn.
• English: His actions severely damaged our team's integrity.
• Analysis: This shows that `诚信` can be a quality attributed to a group, not just an individual. The integrity of the team is a collective reputation.
• Example 8:
• 如果你连这点小事都做不到，还谈什么诚信？
• Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ lián zhè diǎn xiǎoshì dōu zuò bù dào, hái tán shénme chéngxìn?
• English: If you can't even do this small thing, how can you even talk about integrity?
• Analysis: A rhetorical question used to criticize someone for failing to keep a promise. It highlights that `诚信` is proven through actions, even small ones.
• Example 9:
• 这份合同是建立在双方诚信的基础上的。
• Pinyin: Zhè fèn hétóng shì jiànlì zài shuāngfāng chéngxìn de jīchǔ shàng de.
• English: This contract is built upon the good faith of both parties.
• Analysis: `基础 (jīchǔ)` means “foundation.” This sentence perfectly illustrates `诚信` as the bedrock of formal agreements. The contract is just paper; the `诚信` is the real guarantee.
• Example 10:
• 诚信是人生的通行证。
• Pinyin: Chéngxìn shì rénshēng de tōngxíngzhèng.
• English: Integrity is the passport to life.
• Analysis: This is a modern proverb-like saying. A `通行证 (tōngxíngzhèng)` is a pass that lets you go anywhere. This means that having `诚信` will open doors for you throughout your life.

• “Honesty” is not enough: A common mistake for English speakers is to equate `诚信` with simply being “honest.” Honesty (`诚实`, chéngshí) is about not telling lies. `诚信` is much broader. It includes honesty, but crucially adds the dimension of reliability and follow-through.
  • You can be honest that you forgot to do something, but if you consistently fail to keep your promises, you still lack `诚信`.
• Don't use it for trivial matters: `诚信` is a weighty, serious term. Using it for minor situations sounds overly dramatic and strange.
  • Incorrect: `*你答应给我买冰淇淋却忘了，你太没有诚信了！*` (Nǐ dāyìng gěi wǒ mǎi bīngqílín què wàngle, nǐ tài méiyǒu chéngxìn le!) - You promised to buy me ice cream but forgot, you have no integrity!
  • Why it's wrong: This is too trivial for `诚信`. It makes the speaker sound like they are joking or being sarcastic.
  • Better: `*你怎么忘了呀？真不守信用！*` (Nǐ zěnme wàngle ya? Zhēn bù shǒu xìnyòng!) - How could you forget? You really don't keep your word! (`守信用` is more appropriate for specific promises).

• 信用 (xìnyòng) - Credit, trustworthiness. More focused on a person's or company's track record, especially in finance or formal systems (like the Social Credit System). `诚信` is the moral quality; `信用` is the reputation you earn from it.
• 诚实 (chéngshí) - Honest. A close synonym, but it primarily means “truthful” and “not telling lies.” `诚信` has the added, crucial layer of “keeping promises.”
• 老实 (lǎoshi) - Honest, frank, well-behaved. More of a personality trait. Describes someone who is simple, doesn't cause trouble, and tells the truth. It's less formal and less grand than `诚信`.
• 守信 (shǒuxìn) - To keep one's promise; to be true to one's word. This is a verb and a key action that demonstrates one's `诚信`.
• 信誉 (xìnyù) - Reputation, prestige, credibility. This is the result or outcome of consistently demonstrating `诚信` over time.
• 正直 (zhèngzhí) - Upright, upstanding, principled. This term focuses more on a person's strong moral character and refusal to do anything corrupt or unethical. It's about moral righteousness.
• 诺言 (nuòyán) - A promise, a commitment. Fulfilling your `诺言` is how you show you have `诚信`.
• 君子 (jūnzǐ) - A gentleman; a person of noble character. In Confucian thought, a `君子` is the ideal person, and possessing `诚信` is one of his essential qualities.