📖 Meaning
This idiom describes speech that is stern in tone and righteous in reasoning. It characterizes words that are both forceful in expression and morally grounded in principle, leaving no room for rebuttal.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Song dynasty writer Zhang Xiaoxiang's preface 'Mingshou Zhao Fuwen.' In it, Zhang praises the literary work of the renowned Song dynasty scholar Ouyang Xiu, noting that Ouyang's calligraphy was not merely technically superb, but that his words were stern and his reasoning upright. Zhang remarks that even a thousand years later, readers would be inspired and moved upon seeing such writing. He humbly states that he himself was unworthy of receiving such an honor. The idiom thus became associated with writing and speech that combines moral authority with forceful expression.
💡 Example Usage
他在会上词言义正地指出了问题的根源，令在场众人无言以对。
At the meeting, he pointed out the root of the problem with stern words and righteous reasoning, leaving everyone present speechless.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 词言义正
- Pinyin: cí yán yì zhèng
- Literal Translation: words, speech, meaning, upright
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4