是非曲直 (shì fēi qū zhí) — the rights and wrongs of a matter; the objective truth or merits of a case

Definition

A set phrase for 'the rights and wrongs of a matter' — the full truth, merits, and demerits of a dispute. Used when judging or investigating a case, not for everyday moral talk.

idiom
the rights and wrongs of a matterthe objective truth or merits of a case

Examples

  • 是非曲直，。
    Zhè jiàn shì de shì fēi qū zhí, wǒ men yí dìng yào chá qīng chǔ.
    We must investigate the rights and wrongs of this matter thoroughly.
  • 是非曲直。
    Fǎ lǜ huì gōng zhèng dì pàn duàn shì fēi qū zhí.
    The law will judge the rights and wrongs fairly.
  • ，，是非曲直。
    Zài zhēng lùn zhōng, bú yào zhī kàn biǎo miàn, yào liǎo jiě shì fēi qū zhí.
    In an argument, don't just look at the surface; understand the full truth.

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.

是非right and wrong
是shìright非fēiwrong
联合Side by side
曲直crooked and straight
曲qǔcrooked直zhístraight
联合Side by side

是 means right, 非 wrong, 曲 crooked, and 直 straight; together they denote the rights and wrongs of a matter.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 是 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 非 is drawn from two wings facing opposite directions. It later came to be used for going against or not being.

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

曲 is drawn as a bent object, matching the meaning 'bend'.

Open 曲 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The earliest form of 直 pairs 目, an eye, with an unclear stroke 丨.

Open 直 →

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