tiānjīngdìyì: 天经地义 - Unalterable Principle, Perfectly Justified

• Keywords: tiānjīngdìyì, tianjingdiyi, 天经地义, Chinese idiom, chengyu, unalterable principle, perfectly justified, matter of course, Chinese philosophy, natural law, moral obligation, Chinese culture
• Summary: Discover the meaning of the Chinese idiom (chengyu) 天经地义 (tiānjīngdìyì), a powerful term used to describe a principle that is absolutely right, morally correct, and as unchangeable as the laws of nature. This page breaks down its characters, cultural roots in Chinese philosophy, and practical usage in modern conversation, helping you understand when to use it to express that something is perfectly justified or a matter of course.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tiān jīng dì yì
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (Idiom) / Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: A principle that is unalterable, perfectly justified, and absolutely correct.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 天经地义 (tiānjīngdìyì) as the Chinese equivalent of saying something is a “law of nature” or a “fundamental truth,” but applied to morality and society. It's used for principles that are considered so obviously correct that they shouldn't even be questioned. It carries a strong sense of moral and natural order, suggesting that this is just the way the universe is supposed to work.

• 天 (tiān): Sky or Heaven. In this context, it represents the ultimate natural order, a cosmic force.
• 经 (jīng): Principle, rule, or classic scripture. It implies a constant, unchanging truth, like the laws written in a sacred text.
• 地 (dì): Earth or ground. It represents the worldly, tangible realm, balancing the cosmic “heaven.”
• 义 (yì): Righteousness, justice, or duty. This is the moral component, referring to what is right and proper in human society.

When you combine them, 天经地义 (tiānjīngdìyì) literally means “Heaven's principles and Earth's righteousness.” It beautifully merges the cosmic order (天经) with human morality (地义) to describe a truth that is both naturally and ethically absolute.

天经地义 is a concept deeply embedded in Chinese culture, drawing from both Confucian and Daoist thought. It reflects the belief in a harmonious order that governs the cosmos, nature, and human society. A core idea is that human actions should align with this universal order (the “Dao” or “Way”). To say something is 天经地义 is to claim it aligns with this fundamental order. Historically, this was used to justify social hierarchies and duties, such as filial piety (children's respect for parents) or a subject's loyalty to the ruler. Comparison to a Western Concept: A common English translation is “it goes without saying” or “as a matter of course.” However, these phrases lack the profound weight of 天经地义.

• “It goes without saying” implies something is obvious and doesn't need to be stated. It's about conversational efficiency.
• 天经地义 implies something is a moral and natural imperative. It's not just obvious; it's fundamentally right. Challenging it would be like challenging gravity.

For example, saying “Paying for what you buy is 天经地义” is much stronger than “It goes without saying that you should pay.” The first suggests it's a pillar of a functioning, moral society; the second just states it's an obvious expectation.

In modern China, 天经地义 is still a common and powerful idiom. It's used to assert that a certain action or belief is undeniably correct.

• Formality: It can be used in both formal speeches and everyday conversations.
• Connotation: It is almost always used with a strong, positive sense of conviction. It can sound very self-assured, and if used in a debate, it can be a way of shutting down further argument by framing your position as a universal truth.
• Common Contexts:
  • Family and Social Duties: Discussing responsibilities like caring for elderly parents or raising children.
  • Ethics and Law: Arguing for basic principles like “murder is wrong” or “one must pay back debts.”
  • Everyday Assertions: Stating something you believe is completely obvious and fair, like splitting a bill among friends.

• Example 1:
  • 子女孝敬父母是天经地义的。
  • Pinyin: Zǐnǚ xiàojìng fùmǔ shì tiānjīngdìyì de.
  • English: It is perfectly right and proper for children to show filial respect to their parents.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example rooted in Confucian values. The use of 天经地义 elevates filial piety from a mere social custom to a fundamental law of human decency.
• Example 2:
  • 欠债还钱，天经地义。
  • Pinyin: Qiànzhài huánqián, tiānjīngdìyì.
  • English: Paying back debts is an unalterable principle.
  • Analysis: This is a very famous and common set phrase. It frames debt repayment not just as a legal requirement, but as a basic moral duty.
• Example 3:
  • 努力工作来养活自己，这难道不是天经地义的吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǔlì gōngzuò lái yǎnghuo zìjǐ, zhè nándào búshì tiānjīngdìyì de ma?
  • English: Working hard to support yourself—isn't that a matter of course?
  • Analysis: The rhetorical question format (难道…吗？) adds emphasis, suggesting the speaker is shocked that anyone might disagree with this fundamental principle of self-reliance.
• Example 4:
  • 保护环境是我们每个人天经地义的责任。
  • Pinyin: Bǎohù huánjìng shì wǒmen měi ge rén tiānjīngdìyì de zérèn.
  • English: Protecting the environment is the perfectly justified responsibility of every one of us.
  • Analysis: This applies the idiom to a modern global issue, framing environmentalism as a core moral duty, not just a policy choice.
• Example 5:
  • 在我们公司，按时完成项目是天经地义的事。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǒmen gōngsī, ànshí wánchéng xiàngmù shì tiānjīngdìyì de shì.
  • English: In our company, finishing projects on time is considered a fundamental obligation.
  • Analysis: Here, the term is used in a business context to mean “non-negotiable” or a “given expectation.” It sets a very high standard.
• Example 6:
  • A: 我们吃了饭应该付钱吧？ (Wǒmen chīle fàn yīnggāi fùqián ba?) - We should pay after eating, right?
  • B: 那当然，天经地义啊！ (Nà dāngrán, tiānjīngdìyì a!) - Of course, that's how it should be!
  • Analysis: In conversation, it can be used as an emphatic “Of course!” to strongly agree with a stated obligation.
• Example 7:
  • 杀人偿命，这是自古以来就天经地义的道理。
  • Pinyin: Shārén chángmìng, zhè shì zìgǔ yǐlái jiù tiānjīngdìyì de dàolǐ.
  • English: An eye for an eye (lit: a life for a life when someone is killed), this has been a perfectly just principle since ancient times.
  • Analysis: This shows the idiom's use in the context of justice and law, referring to a principle believed to be timeless and universally fair.
• Example 8:
  • 有些人认为男人就该赚钱养家，好像这是天经地义的一样。
  • Pinyin: Yǒuxiē rén rènwéi nánrén jiù gāi zhuànqián yǎngjiā, hǎoxiàng zhè shì tiānjīngdìyì de yíyàng.
  • English: Some people think men should be the breadwinners, as if this were some unalterable truth.
  • Analysis: This example shows how you can use the term to critique a traditional belief. By saying “as if” (好像…一样), the speaker questions whether this long-held norm is truly so 天经地义.
• Example 9:
  • 遵守法律是每个公民天经地义的义务。
  • Pinyin: Zūnshǒu fǎlǜ shì měi ge gōngmín tiānjīngdìyì de yìwù.
  • English: Obeying the law is the fundamental duty of every citizen.
  • Analysis: This directly links 天经地义 to the concept of civic duty (义务), presenting it as a core tenet of a functioning society.
• Example 10:
  • 获得别人的帮助后说声“谢谢”，这是天经地义的礼貌。
  • Pinyin: Huòdé biérén de bāngzhù hòu shuō shēng “xièxie”, zhè shì tiānjīngdìyì de lǐmào.
  • English: Saying “thank you” after receiving help from others is a matter of basic, proper etiquette.
  • Analysis: This applies the term to social etiquette, suggesting that basic politeness is not arbitrary but a fundamental part of respectful human interaction.

• Don't use it for simple, amoral facts.
  • A common mistake for learners is to use 天经地义 for any obvious fact.
  • Incorrect: ~~太阳从东边升起是天经地义的。~~ (The sun rising in the east is tiānjīngdìyì.)
  • Why it's wrong: While the sun rising in the east is an unalterable fact of nature, it's not a moral or social principle. 天经地义 requires a component of “righteousness” or “what ought to be” in human affairs. A better word for a simple fact would be just a statement, or perhaps `事实 (shìshí)` - “fact.”
• Difference from `理所当然 (lǐ suǒ dāng rán)`
  • 理所当然 (lǐ suǒ dāng rán) means “as a matter of course” or “it goes without saying.” It's about logic and expectation.
  • 天经地义 (tiānjīngdìyì) is much stronger. It's about moral, ethical, and even cosmic correctness.
  • Example:
    • “He studied hard, so 理所当然 he got a good grade.” (This is logical and expected.)
    • “Parents care for their children; this is 天经地义.” (This is a fundamental moral duty.)
    • Using 天经地义 in the first sentence would be overkill.

• 理所当然 (lǐ suǒ dāng rán) - A close synonym meaning “as a matter of course” or “to be expected,” but it lacks the strong moral and philosophical weight of 天经地义.
• 义不容辞 (yì bù róng cí) - “A duty one cannot shirk.” Describes a personal, binding obligation that one feels compelled to fulfill out of righteousness. It focuses on the actor's duty, whereas 天经地义 focuses on the universal principle itself.
• 天公地道 (tiān gōng dì dào) - “Perfectly fair and just.” A very close synonym that emphasizes fairness and impartiality, as if decreed by heaven itself.
• 顺理成章 (shùn lǐ chéng zhāng) - “To follow a logical course; to fall into place.” This describes a process or result that happens naturally and logically, rather than a static moral principle.
• 人之常情 (rén zhī cháng qíng) - “Human nature; a common human feeling.” Often used to explain emotional reactions (e.g., “It's only human to feel sad.”). This is a good contrast to 天经地义, as it's based on emotion and psychology, not universal moral principles.
• 天理 (tiān lǐ) - “The principle of Heaven; natural justice.” This is a core philosophical concept that underpins 天经地义. 天理 is the law; 天经地义 is the quality of being in accordance with that law.
• 不言而喻 (bù yán ér yù) - “Self-evident; obvious without being said.” This is a closer synonym for the English “it goes without saying” and focuses on the obviousness of a situation or fact.