道义 (dào yì) — moral obligation and righteousness; justice (as a ethical principle)

Definition

A formal, written term for the moral principle or ethical duty behind an action — the sense of what is 'right' in an abstract sense, not a personal debt. Common in 新闻 and 学术 writing, less so in everyday speech.

noun
moral obligation and righteousnessjustice (as a ethical principle)

Examples

  • 道义
    Wǒ men yīng gāi chéng dān dào yì shàng de zé rèn.
    We should bear the moral responsibility.
  • 道义
    Tā zài guó jì shì wù shàng jǐ yǔ le dào yì zhī chí.
    He gave moral support in international affairs.
  • 道义
    Zhè zhǒng zuò fǎ wéi bèi le jī běn dào yì.
    This practice violates basic moral justice.

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