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有德

yǒu dé
adjective★Intermediate💡 virtuous
formal

Possessing moral integrity or virtue; morally upright.

古人云:‘有德者必有言,有言者不必有德。’

As the ancients said: 'Those with virtue speak wisely, but those who speak wisely are not necessarily virtuous.'

她因有德行而受到村民的尊敬。

She is respected by the villagers for her virtue.

💡

Commonly used in classical Chinese texts and modern formal contexts to describe individuals with high moral standards.

Collocations

有德之人virtuous person有德有才virtuous and talented有德行have moral integrity

Synonyms

有德行品德高尚贤德

Antonyms

无德缺德不道德

Related Phrases

德高望重idiom
high moral standing and prestige
修身养德phrase
cultivate one's moral character

💡Pro Tip

Context Matters

有德 is often paired with terms like 君子 (noble person) or 长者 (elder) to emphasize moral authority. For example, 有德君子 (virtuous noble person).

⚡Gold Rule

Formal Tone

Use 有德 in formal or literary contexts. In everyday speech, consider 好心 (kind-hearted) or 品德好 (good moral character) instead.

📖Word Origin

The term combines 有 (yǒu, 'to have') and 德 (dé, 'virtue' or 'moral character'), tracing back to classical Chinese philosophy (e.g., Confucian texts like the Book of Rites). The concept emphasizes the Confucian ideal of moral cultivation.

📝Usage Notes

Primarily used in written Chinese or formal speech. Avoid using in casual conversation unless quoting classical phrases.

Word Breakdown

有
to have; to possess
root
+
德
virtue; moral character
root
汉英词典

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