忠义 (zhōng yì) — loyal and righteous (a Confucian virtue of unwavering loyalty and moral integrity)

Definition

A classical Confucian ideal combining absolute loyalty (esp. to a ruler or cause) with righteousness or moral integrity. Carries a strong literary/historical tone — used for ancient heroes, the 水浒 novel, or figures like 关羽, not everyday behavior.

adjective
loyal and righteous (a Confucian virtue of unwavering loyalty and moral integrity)

Examples

  • 忠义。
    Tā shì yí gè zhōng yì zhī rén.
    He is a loyal and righteous person.
  • 忠义。
    Zhè bù xiǎo shuō gē sòng le zhōng yì jīng shén.
    This novel praises the spirit of loyalty and righteousness.
  • ，忠义。
    Zài gǔ dài, zhōng yì bèi shì wéi zuì zhòng yào de pǐn dé.
    In ancient times, loyalty and righteousness were regarded as the most important virtues.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

忠zhōngloyal
义yìrighteous

Loyalty and righteousness join as a moral virtue.

Characters in this word

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
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
中
中zhōng忠zhōng
Same sound today

忠 pairs 心, meaning heart, with 中, which gives its sound.

Open 忠 →

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 義; 义 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
羊羊yáng
Sound part声符shēngfú
我
我wǒ義yì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 義 has 我 giving the sound and 羊 meaning good or auspicious; the simplified 义 is a later abbreviation.

Open 义 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.