言而有信

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

言而有信 [2025/08/10 10:46] – created xiaoer言而有信 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
Line 1: Line 1:
-====== yán ér yǒu xìn: 言而有信 - To be true to one's word, Trustworthy ====== +
-===== Quick Summary ===== +
-  * **Keywords:** yaneryouxin, yán ér yǒu xìn, 言而有信, keep one's word, keep a promise, trustworthy, man of his word, reliable, credible, Chinese idiom for trust, integrity, honesty in Chinese culture, Confucian values. +
-  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **言而有信 (yán ér yǒu xìn)**, a fundamental Chinese idiom that means being true to one's word and keeping promises. This page explores its deep cultural roots in Confucianism, where trustworthiness is a core virtue. Learn how to use this powerful expression to describe a person of integrity in business and personal life, and understand why being **言而有信** is crucial for building relationships in China. +
-===== Core Meaning ===== +
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yán ér yǒu xìn +
-  * **Part of Speech:** Chengyu (Idiom); Adjective +
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 6 +
-  * **Concise Definition:** To be someone who keeps their promises and can be trusted to do what they say. +
-  * **In a Nutshell:** **言而有信 (yán ér yǒu xìn)** describes a person whose words (`言`) have weight and credibility (`信`). It’s the quality of being utterly reliable. When a person is **言而有信**, you know that their promises are not empty talk. It's a highly valued personal characteristic that forms the bedrock of trust in any relationship. +
-===== Character Breakdown ===== +
-  * **言 (yán):** Word, speech, to say. It represents the promise or statement being made. +
-  * **而 (ér):** A grammatical particle that connects the two parts, meaning "and thus" or "and yet." Here it links the action of speaking with the result. +
-  * **有 (yǒu):** To have, to possess. +
-  * **信 (xìn):** Trust, faith, credibility, confidence. This is the result of keeping one's word. +
-The characters literally combine to mean "[When one] speaks, and thus has trust." The meaning is clear: one's speech is backed by credibility. Your words and your actions are in alignment. +
-===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== +
-**言而有信** is not just a useful phrase; it's a cornerstone of Chinese ethics, deeply embedded in Confucian philosophy. Trust (`信`, xìn) is one of the Five Constants (五常, wǔcháng), the cardinal virtues of Confucianism, alongside benevolence (`仁`, rén), righteousness (`义`, yì), propriety (`礼`, lǐ), and wisdom (`智`, zhì). +
-A person who is **言而有信** is considered a `君子 (jūnzǐ)`, or a person of noble character. This concept is central to building and maintaining `关系 (guānxi)`, or social networks. In a culture that has historically relied more on personal relationships than on abstract legal systems, a person's reputation for trustworthiness is their most valuable asset. +
-**Comparison to Western Culture:** In the West, we have similar concepts like "a man of his word" or "your word is your bond." These are strong expressions of personal integrity. However, **言而有信** carries a deeper societal weight. In the West, breaking a promise might make you seen as unreliable or flaky. In a Chinese context, being `言而无信 (yán ér wú xìn)` (the antonym) can fundamentally damage your social standing and reputation, making it difficult to conduct business or maintain relationships. It is seen as a profound moral failing, not just a personal flaw. +
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== +
-This chengyu is formal but widely understood and used in various contexts. It's almost always a high compliment. +
-  * **In Business:** Trust is paramount. Stating that a potential partner is **言而有信** is one of the highest praises you can give. Contracts are important, but a person's reputation for keeping their verbal commitments can be even more so. +
-  * **In Personal Relationships:** It's used to describe a reliable friend, family member, or partner. It signifies that this person is a rock you can depend on. +
-  * **In Official Contexts:** Government officials and company leaders often use this phrase in speeches to promise that they will follow through on their commitments to the people or their employees. +
-The connotation is overwhelmingly positive. You use it to praise someone's character or to state a principle you live by. +
-===== Example Sentences ===== +
-  * **Example 1:** +
-    * 他是个**言而有信**的人，你完全可以相信他。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā shì ge **yán ér yǒu xìn** de rén, nǐ wánquán kěyǐ xiāngxìn tā. +
-    * English: He is a man of his word; you can completely trust him. +
-    * Analysis: This is a classic and direct way to praise someone's character, recommending them to a third party. +
-  * **Example 2:** +
-    * 在商业世界里，**言而有信**是成功的基础。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zài shāngyè shìjiè lǐ, **yán ér yǒu xìn** shì chénggōng de jīchǔ. +
-    * English: In the business world, being true to your word is the foundation of success. +
-    * Analysis: This sentence states a general principle, highlighting the importance of this virtue in a professional context. +
-  * **Example 3:** +
-    * 我们老板一向**言而有信**，他说会给我们加薪，就一定会加。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒmen lǎobǎn yíxiàng **yán ér yǒu xìn**, tā shuō huì gěi wǒmen jiāxīn, jiù yídìng huì jiā. +
-    * English: Our boss has always been a person of their word; if they say they'll give us a raise, they definitely will. +
-    * Analysis: Here, the phrase is used to build confidence in a superior's promise based on their past behavior. +
-  * **Example 4:** +
-    * 做人要**言而有信**，不能轻易许下自己做不到的承诺。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zuòrén yào **yán ér yǒu xìn**, bùnéng qīngyì xǔxià zìjǐ zuòbúdào de chéngnuò. +
-    * English: To be a person of integrity, you must be true to your word and not easily make promises you can't keep. +
-    * Analysis: This sentence is used as a piece of advice or a moral exhortation, teaching a core value. +
-  * **Example 5:** +
-    * 我向你保证，我一定会**言而有信**，按时完成这个项目。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ xiàng nǐ bǎozhèng, wǒ yídìng huì **yán ér yǒu xìn**, ànshí wánchéng zhège xiàngmù. +
-    * English: I promise you, I will absolutely keep my word and finish this project on time. +
-    * Analysis: This is a self-declaration, using the phrase to make a very strong and formal commitment. +
-  * **Example 6:** +
-    * 这家公司以**言而有信**闻名，所以我们选择和他们合作。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī yǐ **yán ér yǒu xìn** wénmíng, suǒyǐ wǒmen xuǎnzé hé tāmen hézuò. +
-    * English: This company is famous for its integrity, which is why we chose to partner with them. +
-    * Analysis: The phrase is used here to describe a corporate entity's reputation, not just an individual's. +
-  * **Example 7:** +
-    * 作为一个领导，你必须**言而有信**，才能赢得下属的尊重。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zuòwéi yí ge lǐngdǎo, nǐ bìxū **yán ér yǒu xìn**, cáinéng yíngdé xiàshǔ de zūnzhòng. +
-    * English: As a leader, you must be true to your word to win the respect of your subordinates. +
-    * Analysis: This highlights the instrumental value of this trait in a leadership context. +
-  * **Example 8:** +
-    * 古代的君子都把**言而有信**看作是重要的品德。 +
-    * Pinyin: Gǔdài de jūnzǐ dōu bǎ **yán ér yǒu xìn** kànzuò shì zhòngyào de pǐndé. +
-    * English: The gentlemen of ancient times all regarded being true to one's word as an important virtue. +
-    * Analysis: This sentence provides historical and cultural context, linking the phrase to the ideal of the `君子 (jūnzǐ)`. +
-  * **Example 9:** +
-    * 他上次说了谎，现在没人觉得他**言而有信**了。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā shàngcì shuō le huǎng, xiànzài méi rén juéde tā **yán ér yǒu xìn** le. +
-    * English: He lied last time, so now no one thinks he is trustworthy anymore. +
-    * Analysis: This shows the consequence of failing to be **言而有信**. Trust, once lost, is hard to regain. +
-  * **Example 10:** +
-    * 尽管面临巨大压力，他依然做到了**言而有信**，履行了他的诺言。 +
-    * Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn miànlín jùdà yālì, tā yīrán zuòdào le **yán ér yǒu xìn**, lǚxíng le tā de nuòyán. +
-    * English: Despite facing immense pressure, he remained true to his word and fulfilled his promise. +
-    * Analysis: This example emphasizes that true integrity is demonstrated when it is difficult to maintain. +
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== +
-  * **False Friends: "Honest" vs. "Trustworthy".** +
-    * English speakers might confuse **言而有信** with `诚实 (chéngshí)`, which means "honest." While related, they are different. `诚实` is about not telling lies (truthfulness of statements about the past or present). **言而有信** is about fulfilling promises (reliability of statements about the future). You can honestly admit you won't keep a promise, but that is the opposite of being **言而有信**. +
-  * **Common Pitfall: Overusing it for Trivial Matters.** +
-    * **言而有信** is a weighty, formal term. Using it for small, everyday promises can sound overly dramatic or even sarcastic. +
-    * **Incorrect:** 我说我会带零食，我可是**言而有信**的！(Wǒ shuō wǒ huì dài língshí, wǒ kěshì **yán ér yǒu xìn** de!) - "I said I'd bring snacks, I'm a person of my word!" +
-    * **Why it's wrong:** This is too formal for such a casual situation. It sounds like you're making a grand moral statement about bringing snacks. +
-    * **Better:** 我说话算话，说了带就一定会带。(Wǒ shuōhuà suànhuà, shuō le dài jiù yídìng huì dài.) - "I keep my word. If I said I'd bring them, I definitely will." The phrase `说话算话 (shuōhuà suànhuà)` is a more colloquial equivalent. +
-===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== +
-  * [[一诺千金]] (yī nuò qiān jīn) - "A single promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold." A vivid synonym that emphasizes the immense value of a promise. +
-  * [[守信用]] (shǒu xìnyòng) - A more modern, common verb phrase meaning "to be trustworthy" or "to keep one's credit." It's less literary than **言而有信** but used frequently in business and daily life. +
-  * [[说话算话]] (shuō huà suàn huà) - "One's speech counts." A colloquial and very common way to say someone keeps their word. +
-  * [[言而无信]] (yán ér wú xìn) - The direct antonym: "to speak but have no credibility." This describes someone who is untrustworthy and breaks promises. +
-  * [[背信弃义]] (bèi xìn qì yì) - A much stronger antonym, meaning "to betray trust and abandon righteousness." This implies a serious moral betrayal. +
-  * [[信誉]] (xìnyù) - "Credibility, reputation, prestige." This is the result or asset one gains from being **言而有信**. +
-  * [[诚实]] (chéngshí) - "Honest." As discussed above, this relates to telling the truth, whereas **言而有信** relates to keeping promises. +
-  * [[君子]] (jūnzǐ) - "Gentleman, noble person." In Confucian thought, a `君子` is the ideal person, and being **言而有信** is one of their defining characteristics.+