gwong1 ming4 zing3 daai6光明正大

Jyutpinggwong1 ming4 zing3 daai6

Yalegwōng mìngh jing daih

Definition

(of a person) honorable; not devious; (of a situation) out in the open

neutraldescriptionspeople

How it's used

This idiom describes someone who acts with integrity and has nothing to hide. It is frequently used to defend one's own actions or to praise someone's transparent character. Unlike some formal idioms, it fits naturally into everyday speech when discussing moral conduct or clearing up misunderstandings.

Examples

keoi5 zou6 je5 jat1 hoeng3 gwong1 ming4 zing3 daai6 m4 sai2 geng1 jan4 dei6 gong2 haan4 waa2

佢做嘢一向光明正大，唔使驚人哋講閒話。

He has always been upright in his work, so there is no need to fear gossip.

nei5 gei3 jin4 mou5 zou6 co3 dim2 gaai2 m4 gwong1 ming4 zing3 daai6 gam3 gong2 ceot1 lai4

你既然冇做錯，點解唔光明正大咁講出嚟？

Since you did nothing wrong, why not speak up openly and honestly?

Common phrases

gwong1 ming4 zing3 daai6 gam3 zou6

光明正大咁做

to do something openly and honestly

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse this with simply being honest, but it carries a stronger connotation of being bold and public about one's actions. It implies that you are not acting in the shadows or through underhanded means.