Meaning
诚信 is a core moral concept in Chinese culture referring to being honest, sincere, and trustworthy in one's words and actions. It combines the ideas of sincerity (诚) and trustworthiness (信), representing the fundamental principle that one should keep promises and act with integrity in personal and business relationships.
Usage
This term is commonly used in formal contexts, business ethics, moral education, and social credit discussions. It appears frequently in official discourse about personal character and business conduct. Native speakers often use it when discussing someone's reputation or when emphasizing the importance of keeping one's word.
Examples
- 01诚信是做人的基本原则。.Integrity is a fundamental principle of being a person.
- 02这家公司一直坚持诚信经营，赢得了客户的信任。, .This company has always adhered to operating with integrity and has won the trust of its customers.
Characters
Common collocations
- 诚信经营to operate with integrity
- 讲诚信to be honest and trustworthy
- 诚信体系credit system, integrity system
- 诚信建设building of integrity/credibility
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters have ancient roots in Chinese philosophy. 诚 (sincerity) is a key Confucian virtue, while 信 (trustworthiness) is one of the Five Constant Virtues. Together they form a compound emphasizing moral reliability.