一本正经 (yī běn zhèng jīng) — (idiom) putting on a serious face; in all earnestness (often ironically)

Definition

An idiom for a dead-serious, earnest manner — usually with a touch of irony, since the speaker is often faking the solemnity. Pairs naturally with 地说 / 的样子 to describe how someone acts.

idiom
putting on a serious facein all earnestness (often ironically)

Examples

  • 一本正经,。
    Tā yī běn zhèng jīng dì gēn wǒ shuō le yí gè xiào hua, wǒ chà diǎn méi rěn zhù xiào.
    He told me a joke with a completely straight face, and I almost couldn't help laughing.
  • ,一本正经。
    Bié kàn tā píng shí xī xī hā hā, yí dào kāi huì jiù biàn de yī běn zhèng jīng qǐ lái.
    Don't mind his usual joking — once the meeting starts, he turns all serious.
  • ,一本正经。
    Tā shuō zì jǐ cóng lái bù zhuī xīng, nà fù yī běn zhèng jīng de yàng zi fǎn ér ràng rén hěn xiǎng xiào.
    She claimed she never fangirled anyone, but her dead serious expression just made people want to laugh.

Origin

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

本 adds a stroke at the bottom of a tree shape to mark the roots, giving the sense of foundation or original.

Open 本 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng正zhèng
Same sound today

正 pairs 止 with 丁; 止 marks the sense and 丁 gives the sound.

Open 正 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 經; 经 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mìsilk; thread
Sound part声符shēngfú
巠
巠jīng經jīng
Same sound today

The traditional form 經 combines 糹 (silk; thread) with 巠, which gives the sound.

Open 经 →

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