清廉 (qīng lián) — honest and upright (especially in official positions), incorruptible

Definition

Used mainly for officials and public servants: 'incorruptible, free of bribery.' 廉洁 is a more common near-synonym in everyday use; 清廉 sounds more formal and written.

adjective
honest and upright (especially in official positions)incorruptible

Examples

  • 清廉，。
    Zhè wèi guān yuán yì shēng qīng lián, shēn shòu rén mín ài dài.
    This official was honest and upright all his life, deeply loved by the people.
  • 清廉。
    Gōng sī tí chàng qīng lián zì lǜ de gōng zuò zuò fēng.
    The company promotes a work style of integrity and self-discipline.
  • 清廉。
    qīng lián Shì měi gè gōng wù yuán yīng gāi zūn shǒu de jī běn zhǔn zé.
    Integrity is a basic principle that every civil servant should follow.

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.

清qīngpure
廉liánincorruptible

清 'pure' and 廉 'incorruptible' combine to describe honest uprightness.

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
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
青
青qīng清qīng
Same sound today

清 has 氵 (water) on the left and 青 on the right to show its sound.

Open 清 →

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
广广guǎng
Sound part声符shēngfú
兼
兼jiān廉lián
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

廉 pairs 广 with 兼; 兼 supplies the sound.

Open 廉 →

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