zhèngyì gǎn: 正义感 - Sense of Justice

• Keywords: zhengyigan, zhèngyì gǎn, 正义感, sense of justice in Chinese, Chinese word for righteousness, Chinese moral values, uprightness, fairness in China, what is zhengyigan.
• Summary: Learn about 正义感 (zhèngyì gǎn), the Chinese term for a “sense of justice.” This entry explores its deep cultural roots, explaining why it's a highly admired personal trait. Discover how this powerful feeling of righteousness compels individuals to stand up for fairness and protect the vulnerable, and learn how to use it correctly in modern conversation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhèngyì gǎn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (but contains HSK 4-5 level characters)
• Concise Definition: A person's innate feeling or internal motivation to uphold justice and act righteously.
• In a Nutshell: `正义感` isn't just about knowing right from wrong; it's the personal, internal feeling that drives someone to act on that knowledge. Think of it as an inner moral compass that points toward fairness and compels you to defend it. In Chinese culture, having a strong `正义感` is considered a heroic and deeply admirable quality. It's the characteristic of someone who can't stand by and watch injustice happen.

• 正 (zhèng): This character originally depicted a foot (止) marching toward a target (一), symbolizing something that is “straight,” “correct,” or “upright.”
• 义 (yì): A complex and crucial character in Chinese philosophy. It represents “righteousness,” “justice,” and what is morally proper. It implies a sense of duty to one's community and society.
• 感 (gǎn): This character means “to feel” or a “sense.” It's composed of '咸' (a phonetic component) and '心' (the heart radical), literally a “feeling from the heart.”

When combined, 正义 (zhèngyì) means “justice” or “righteousness.” Adding 感 (gǎn) transforms this abstract concept into a personal attribute: a “sense of justice.”

`正义感` is a cornerstone of heroism in Chinese culture. It's deeply connected to the Confucian value of 义 (yì), which dictates a moral obligation to act in a way that is right and just for your family, community, and society. Unlike some Western concepts of justice that might be tied to legal systems or abstract philosophy, `正义感` is a very personal and active trait. It's the defining quality of legendary figures like Judge Bao (包拯), a historical official famous for his impartiality, and the heroes of Wuxia (武侠) martial arts novels who roam the land fighting for the common people. Comparison to Western Culture: A close English equivalent is “having a strong moral compass” or a “strong sense of justice.” However, there's a key difference in emphasis. In the West, “social justice warrior” can sometimes be used pejoratively to imply naivete or performative activism. In contrast, having `正义感` in China is almost universally seen as a positive, noble, and courageous trait. It implies a willingness to take personal risks to correct a wrong, reflecting a collectivist value where individuals are expected to contribute to social harmony and fairness.

`正义感` is frequently used to praise individuals for their moral courage.

• In Daily Conversation: It's used to describe someone who helps a stranger, stands up to a bully, or speaks out against unfairness. “他很有正义感” (“He has a strong sense of justice”) is a high compliment.
• In the News: Journalists often use `正义感` to describe “everyday heroes”—citizens who expose scams, report illegal activities, or rescue people from danger.
• On Social Media: Netizens might praise a whistleblower for their `正义感` or criticize a bystander for their lack of it.
• Describing Media: It's the perfect word to describe the motivation of superheroes, detectives, and protagonists in movies and TV shows.

It is generally used to describe others. Describing yourself as having `正义感` can sound arrogant, unless phrased humbly (e.g., “I hope I can be a person with a sense of justice”).

• Example 1:
  • 他是一个很有正义感的人，看到不公平的事总会站出来。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yīgè hěn yǒu zhèngyì gǎn de rén, kàndào bù gōngpíng de shì zǒng huì zhàn chūlái.
  • English: He is a person with a strong sense of justice; he always stands up when he sees injustice.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, straightforward way to praise someone's character using `有 (yǒu)` + `正义感`.
• Example 2:
  • 作为一名记者，强烈的正义感是必不可少的。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng jìzhě, qiángliè de zhèngyì gǎn shì bì bùkě shǎo de.
  • English: As a journalist, a strong sense of justice is essential.
  • Analysis: Here, `强烈 (qiángliè)` meaning “strong” or “intense” is used to modify `正义感`, emphasizing its importance for certain professions.
• Example 3:
  • 看到有人被欺负，他的正义感油然而生。
  • Pinyin: Kàndào yǒurén bèi qīfù, tā de zhèngyì gǎn yóurán'érshēng.
  • English: Seeing someone being bullied, his sense of justice arose spontaneously.
  • Analysis: The idiom `油然而生 (yóurán'érshēng)` is a sophisticated and common pairing with `正义感`, meaning a feeling that arises naturally and powerfully.
• Example 4:
  • 难道你一点正义感都没有吗？
  • Pinyin: Nándào nǐ yīdiǎn zhèngyì gǎn dōu méiyǒu ma?
  • English: Don't you have even a little bit of a sense of justice?
  • Analysis: This is a rhetorical question used to criticize someone's inaction or immoral behavior. It's a powerful accusation.
• Example 5:
  • 是正义感驱使他举报了那家污染环境的工厂。
  • Pinyin: Shì zhèngyì gǎn qūshǐ tā jǔbào le nà jiā wūrǎn huánjìng de gōngchǎng.
  • English: It was his sense of justice that drove him to report that factory for polluting the environment.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the `是…的 (shì…de)` structure to emphasize that `正义感` was the primary motivation (`驱使 qūshǐ` - to drive/compel) for his action.
• Example 6:
  • 这个孩子从小就很有正义感，总是保护弱小的同学。
  • Pinyin: Zhège háizi cóngxiǎo jiù hěn yǒu zhèngyì gǎn, zǒngshì bǎohù ruòxiǎo de tóngxué.
  • English: This child has had a strong sense of justice since he was young, always protecting the weaker classmates.
  • Analysis: This shows that `正义感` is seen as an innate quality that can be present even in children.
• Example 7:
  • 这部电影的男主角充满了正义感，最后战胜了邪恶势力。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng de nánzhǔjué chōngmǎn le zhèngyì gǎn, zuìhòu zhànshèng le xié'è shìlì.
  • English: The male protagonist of this movie is full of a sense of justice and ultimately defeats the forces of evil.
  • Analysis: `充满了 (chōngmǎn le)` means “is full of,” a very common way to describe a character who embodies this trait.
• Example 8:
  • 一个缺乏正义感的社会是危险的。
  • Pinyin: Yīgè quēfá zhèngyì gǎn de shèhuì shì wēixiǎn de.
  • English: A society that lacks a sense of justice is dangerous.
  • Analysis: `缺乏 (quēfá)` means “to lack.” This sentence applies the concept to a whole society, not just an individual.
• Example 9:
  • 他的正义感让他无法对这件事坐视不理。
  • Pinyin: Tā de zhèngyì gǎn ràng tā wúfǎ duì zhè jiàn shì zuòshìbùlǐ.
  • English: His sense of justice made it impossible for him to ignore this matter.
  • Analysis: The idiom `坐视不理 (zuòshìbùlǐ)` means “to sit by and do nothing.” This highlights the active, compelling nature of `正义感`.
• Example 10:
  • 他为了个人利益，抛弃了自己的正义感。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèile gèrén lìyì, pāoqì le zìjǐ de zhèngyì gǎn.
  • English: For personal gain, he abandoned his own sense of justice.
  • Analysis: This shows `正义感` as a moral possession that one can “abandon” or `抛弃 (pāoqì)`.

• “Sense of Justice” vs. “Justice”: This is the most common pitfall for learners.
  • 正义感 (zhèngyì gǎn) is the *personal feeling* or *trait*.
  • 正义 (zhèngyì) is the *abstract concept* of justice itself.
  • Incorrect: I believe in ~~正义感~~. (You believe in the *concept* of justice).
  • Correct: 我相信正义。(Wǒ xiāngxìn zhèngyì.) - I believe in justice.
  • Incorrect: He is a man of ~~正义~~. (This is awkward in Chinese).
  • Correct: 他是一个有正义感的人。(Tā shì yīgè yǒu zhèngyì gǎn de rén.) - He is a man with a sense of justice.
• Noun, not an Adjective: `正义感` is a noun. You cannot say “他很正义感” (~~tā hěn zhèngyì gǎn~~). You must say “有正义感” (yǒu zhèngyì gǎn - to have a sense of justice). If you want to use an adjective, you can say “他很正义” (tā hěn zhèngyì - he is very righteous), but describing the personal trait with “有正义感” is more common and natural.

• 正义 (zhèngyì) - The abstract concept of “justice” itself. `正义感` is the personal feeling of this concept.
• 公平 (gōngpíng) - “Fairness” or “impartiality.” Refers to equal treatment, which a person with `正义感` strives to uphold.
• 良心 (liángxīn) - “Conscience.” `良心` is your inner sense of moral right and wrong in general, while `正义感` is specifically the drive to act for justice in a social context.
• 道德 (dàodé) - “Morality” or “ethics.” `道德` is the larger framework of principles; `正义感` is a specific, admirable trait within that framework.
• 打抱不平 (dǎ bàobùpíng) - A chengyu (idiom) meaning “to defend someone against an injustice.” This is the action that a person with a strong `正义感` would take.
• 见义勇为 (jiànyìyǒngwéi) - A chengyu meaning “to see what is right and act bravely.” This is the highest expression of `正义感` in action and is legally encouraged in China.
• 英雄 (yīngxióng) - “Hero.” By definition, a hero in Chinese culture possesses an unwavering `正义感`.