高风亮节
gāo fēng liàng jié
noble character and spotless integrity
Character by character
高gāo
lofty
lofty
风fēng
bearing
bearing
亮liàng
bright
bright
节jié
integrity
integrity
Example
老校长退休后把积蓄全部捐给了学校，他的高风亮节让人敬佩。
When the old head retired he gave all his savings to the school, and everyone admires his noble selflessness.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
风 is bearing, as in 风范, and 节 is moral integrity, as in 气节. Formal praise, above all for refusing personal gain, rank or credit; at home in eulogies, commendations and tributes, too grand for everyday kindness.
Learn this in Lesson 256 · HSK 9+: 悼词 (The eulogy)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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