liǎngxiùqīngfēng: 两袖清风 - Uncorrupted, (of an official) Honest and Upright

• Keywords: liǎngxiùqīngfēng, 两袖清风, Chinese idiom for honesty, uncorrupted official, clean hands Chinese, Chinese proverb about integrity, meaning of liang xiu qing feng, Chengyu for integrity, anti-corruption idiom.
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 两袖清风 (liǎngxiùqīngfēng), a classic Chinese idiom that vividly describes an honest and uncorrupted official. Literally translating to “two sleeves, clean wind,” it paints a powerful picture of a public servant who refuses bribes, leaving their sleeves (anciently used as pockets) filled with nothing but a cool breeze. This page explores its cultural origins, modern usage in China's anti-corruption narrative, and practical examples to help you master this essential term for understanding Chinese values of integrity and public service.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): liǎng xiù qīng fēng
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (Idiom) / Adjective
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced Idiom)
• Concise Definition: To be an honest and uncorrupted official, possessing no illicit wealth.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine an ancient Chinese official with long, flowing sleeves that also served as pockets. A corrupt official's sleeves would be heavy with gold, silver, and other bribes. In contrast, an official described as “两袖清风” has empty sleeves. When they wave their arms, all that comes out is a “clean breeze,” symbolizing their utter lack of ill-gotten gains. It's a poetic and powerful metaphor for integrity, uprightness, and a noble poverty that comes from refusing to be corrupt.

• 两 (liǎng): Two; a pair.
• 袖 (xiù): Sleeve (of a garment).
• 清 (qīng): Clear, clean, pure, unpolluted.
• 风 (fēng): Wind, breeze.

The characters combine to create a simple yet profound image: “two sleeves filled with clean wind.” This imagery directly conveys the abstract idea of a person, particularly an official, who is free from the taint of corruption and has not used their position for personal enrichment.

• In Chinese history, the bureaucracy was a central pillar of society, but it was also often plagued by corruption. The idiom 两袖清风 emerged as the highest form of praise for an official who upheld their moral duties in the face of temptation. It reflects a core Confucian value: the ideal of the jūnzǐ (君子), or “noble person,” who prioritizes public duty and righteousness over personal wealth.
• Comparison to Western Concepts: A similar English phrase is “to have clean hands.” However, there's a key difference in emphasis. “Clean hands” focuses on the absence of guilt or involvement in wrongdoing. 两袖清风 goes a step further by implying a state of noble poverty or material simplicity because of one's integrity. It celebrates not just the lack of crime, but the active choice to remain unburdened by material wealth gained through one's position. This link between honesty and material simplicity is a much stronger theme in Chinese culture.

• Formality: This is a formal and literary idiom. It is not used in casual, everyday chat. You will most often encounter it in more formal contexts.
• Praising Officials: Its primary use is to praise government officials, judges, and public servants (both historical and contemporary) for their integrity. It is frequently used in state media, historical dramas, and political speeches, especially in the context of China's ongoing anti-corruption campaigns.
• Broader Usage: While most common for officials, it can be extended to describe anyone in a position of trust who demonstrates exceptional honesty, such as a teacher who doesn't accept gifts from parents, or a company manager known for being incorruptible.
• Connotation: The connotation is overwhelmingly positive and respectful. To be described as 两袖清风 is a great honor.

• Example 1:
  • 他当了一辈子官，退休时仍然是两袖清风，深受人民的尊敬。
  • Pinyin: Tā dāngle yībèizi guān, tuìxiū shí réngrán shì liǎngxiùqīngfēng, shēn shòu rénmín de zūnjìng.
  • English: He was an official his whole life, and when he retired, he was still completely uncorrupted, earning the deep respect of the people.
  • Analysis: This is a classic usage, praising a public servant for a lifetime of integrity.
• Example 2:
  • 在中国历史上，包拯是一位两袖清风、铁面无私的好官。
  • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó lìshǐ shàng, Bāo Zhěng shì yī wèi liǎngxiùqīngfēng、 tiěmiànwúsī de hǎo guān.
  • English: In Chinese history, Bao Zheng was a good official who was uncorrupted and impartial.
  • Analysis: Here, the idiom is used to describe a famous historical figure known for his righteousness. It's often paired with other similar idioms like 铁面无私 (tiěmiàn wúsī).
• Example 3:
  • 作为一名法官，他始终坚持做到两袖清风，公正判案。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng fǎguān, tā shǐzhōng jiānchí zuòdào liǎngxiùqīngfēng, gōngzhèng pàn'àn.
  • English: As a judge, he always insisted on remaining incorruptible and judging cases fairly.
  • Analysis: This example shows the term used as a standard of professional ethics for someone in a position of power.
• Example 4:
  • 这位老校长一生两袖清风，把所有的精力都献给了教育事业。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi lǎo xiàozhǎng yīshēng liǎngxiùqīngfēng, bǎ suǒyǒu de jīnglì dōu xiàn gěile jiàoyù shìyè.
  • English: This old school principal was a man of integrity his entire life, dedicating all his energy to the cause of education.
  • Analysis: This extends the idiom beyond government officials to another respected profession.
• Example 5:
  • 他立志要当一个两袖清风的好干部，全心全意为人民服务。
  • Pinyin: Tā lìzhì yào dāng yīgè liǎngxiùqīngfēng de hǎo gànbù, quánxīnquányì wèi rénmín fúwù.
  • English: He resolved to be an uncorrupted cadre and serve the people with all his heart.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses an aspiration, using the idiom as a personal goal.
• Example 6:
  • 如今的社会，要做到真正的两袖清风实在不容易。
  • Pinyin: Rújīn de shèhuì, yào zuòdào zhēnzhèng de liǎngxiùqīngfēng shízài bù róngyì.
  • English: In today's society, it's really not easy to be truly incorruptible.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the idiom in a more reflective or commentary style, acknowledging the difficulty of maintaining such high moral standards.
• Example 7:
  • 尽管生活清贫，但这位艺术家两袖清风，从不为金钱而出卖自己的艺术原则。
  • Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn shēnghuó qīngpín, dàn zhè wèi yìshùjiā liǎngxiùqīngfēng, cóngbù wèi jīnqián ér chūmài zìjǐ de yìshù yuánzé.
  • English: Although he lived a poor life, this artist had integrity and never sold out his artistic principles for money.
  • Analysis: A metaphorical extension of the term to someone who is not an official but maintains their principles in the face of financial temptation.
• Example 8:
  • 报纸上赞扬了那位两袖清风的市长，说他是所有公务员的榜样。
  • Pinyin: Bàozhǐ shàng zànyángle nà wèi liǎngxiùqīngfēng de shìzhǎng, shuō tā shì suǒyǒu gōngwùyuán de bǎngyàng.
  • English: The newspaper praised that uncorrupted mayor, saying he is a role model for all civil servants.
  • Analysis: A typical example of how the term is used in media to praise and promote ethical behavior.
• Example 9:
  • 他宁愿两袖清风，也不愿接受任何形式的贿赂。
  • Pinyin: Tā nìngyuàn liǎngxiùqīngfēng, yě bù yuàn jiēshòu rènhé xíngshì de huìlù.
  • English: He would rather have nothing than accept any form of bribe.
  • Analysis: This highlights the conscious choice implied by the idiom—choosing integrity over wealth.
• Example 10:
  • 和那些贪官污吏相比，他两袖清风的形象显得格外高大。
  • Pinyin: Hé nàxiē tānguān wūlì xiāng bǐ, tā liǎngxiùqīngfēng de xíngxiàng xiǎnde géwài gāodà.
  • English: Compared to those corrupt officials, his image of being incorruptible appears especially noble.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses contrast to emphasize the positive quality of the idiom.

• Mistake 1: Confusing it with simple poverty.
  • A common error is to use 两袖清风 to describe anyone who is poor. This is incorrect. The idiom specifically applies to someone who is in a position of power or trust and is poor because they are honest. A farmer or a factory worker who is poor is not 两袖清风; an official who is poor because they refuse bribes is.
  • Incorrect: ~~他失业了，现在两袖清风。~~ (He lost his job, now he's poor/uncorrupted.)
  • Correct: 他当官多年，却依然两袖清风。 (He was an official for many years, yet remained uncorrupted.)
• Mistake 2: Using it in casual situations.
  • This is a formal, literary idiom. Using it in a casual context sounds unnatural and overly dramatic.
  • Incorrect: ~~我朋友把午饭钱还我了，他真是两袖清风！~~ (My friend paid me back for lunch, he's so uncorrupted!)
  • Correct: Use a simpler word like 诚实 (chéngshí - honest).

• 清正廉洁 (qīngzhèng liánjié): Upright and honest; a very formal, four-character phrase often used in government slogans to describe the ideal official. (Synonym / More formal)
• 大公无私 (dàgōng wúsī): Selfless; to act for the public good without any thought of personal gain. This describes the motivation of a 两袖清风 official. (Related Value)
• 贪污腐败 (tānwū fǔbài): Corruption, embezzlement, and bribery. The direct opposite of 两袖清风. (Antonym)
• 洁身自好 (jiéshēn zìhào): To preserve one's own integrity; to keep oneself “clean.” It focuses more on personal moral conduct and staying out of trouble. (Similar concept, broader application)
• 铁面无私 (tiěmiàn wúsī): “Iron-faced and selfless”; describes someone who is strictly impartial, especially a judge who cannot be swayed by personal relationships or bribes. (Similar concept, focuses on impartiality)
• 一贫如洗 (yīpín rúxǐ): To be utterly poor or destitute. This describes a state of poverty but lacks the crucial element of “honesty in a position of power.” An official who is 两袖清风 might also be 一贫如洗. (Related State)
• 父母官 (fùmǔguān): “Parent official”; a traditional term for a local official responsible for the welfare of the people in their jurisdiction. The ideal 父母官 is expected to be 两袖清风. (Related Cultural Role)