gwong1 ming4 leoi5 lok6光明磊落
Jyutpinggwong1 ming4 leoi5 lok6
Yalegwōng mìhng léuih lohk
Definition
Open and aboveboard; frank, honest, and selfless with nothing to hide.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of moral integrity and transparency, often used to defend oneself against accusations or to praise someone's character. It implies that a person has nothing to hide and acts with a clear conscience. It is frequently paired with phrases about standing tall or walking straight to emphasize a lack of guilt.
Examples
He is an upright person who never badmouths others behind their backs.
Since you are open and aboveboard, why are you afraid of people misunderstanding you?
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners sometimes mistakenly use this to describe physical brightness or light, but it is strictly reserved for describing a person's moral character or behavior. It is not used for inanimate objects or literal illumination.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
