tóng sǒu wú qī: 童叟无欺 - Honest in Business, Fair Dealing

Keywords: 童叟无欺, tong sou wu qi, tóng sǒu wú qī, honest in business chinese, fair dealing chinese idiom, treat all customers equally chinese, chinese chengyu integrity, ethical business in China, 童叟無欺.

Summary: 童叟无欺 (tóng sǒu wú qī) is a classic Chinese idiom that literally translates to “not cheating children or the elderly.” It is a powerful expression of business integrity, promising that all customers, regardless of their age or perceived vulnerability, will be treated with absolute fairness and honesty. Often seen on shop signs and used to praise trustworthy merchants, this phrase encapsulates the traditional Chinese cultural value of 诚信 (chéngxìn), or trustworthiness, in commerce.

Pinyin (with tone marks): tóng sǒu wú qī

Part of Speech: Idiom (Chengyu / 成语), Adjective

HSK Level: N/A

Concise Definition: To be honest with all customers, regardless of their age or vulnerability; to not cheat anyone.

In a Nutshell: Imagine a shopkeeper who gives the exact same fair price to a savvy adult, a naive child buying candy, and a frail grandparent. That is the essence of 童叟无欺. The idiom uses the two most vulnerable groups in society—the young (童) and the old (叟)—as a benchmark for honesty. The logic is simple: if a business won't cheat them, they certainly won't cheat anyone else. It's a cultural seal of approval for ethical and fair dealing.

童 (tóng): This character means “child” or “youngster.” It represents innocence, inexperience, and vulnerability.

叟 (sǒu): This is a more literary or classical character for an “old man.” It represents the elderly, who might also be seen as vulnerable or deserving of special respect.

无 (wú): A common character meaning “without,” “no,” or “not.” It acts as a negation.

欺 (qī): This character means “to cheat,” “to deceive,” or “to bully.”

How they combine: The phrase literally assembles as “[对待]儿童和老叟, 也无欺骗” ([Treating] children and old men, also without deception). By specifically promising not to cheat the most vulnerable customers, the idiom makes a powerful, all-encompassing statement about a merchant's integrity and commitment to fair prices for everyone.

童叟无欺 is deeply rooted in the core Chinese value of 诚信 (chéngxìn), which means integrity, sincerity, and trustworthiness. In traditional Chinese culture, a person's or a business's reputation is paramount, and 诚信 is the bedrock of that reputation. This idiom is a public declaration of that value.

The phrase also reflects the Confucian emphasis on respecting social roles and protecting the vulnerable. It implicitly references the virtues of 尊老爱幼 (zūn lǎo ài yòu)—respecting the old and loving the young. To cheat a child or an elder is not just a commercial crime but a serious moral failing.

Comparison to Western Concepts: In the West, one might say a business practices “fair dealing” or offers an “honest price.” These terms are functional and transactional. 童叟无欺 is more evocative and carries a heavier moral weight. It's not just about a fair price; it's about the merchant's moral character and their duty to protect the vulnerable members of society. While “customer satisfaction guaranteed” focuses on the outcome, 童叟无欺 focuses on the ethical process of the transaction itself.

As a Business Slogan: This is its most common usage. You will frequently see these four characters printed on banners, etched on plaques, or included on menus in restaurants, tea houses, antique shops, and local markets. It serves as a traditional form of marketing to signal trustworthiness.

To Praise a Business: Customers use it to compliment a merchant they trust. After a good experience, someone might say, “这家店老板人很好，童叟无欺” (The owner of this shop is a good person, completely honest).

As a Personal Promise: A seller might say it to a hesitant customer to reassure them: “您放心买吧，我们这儿绝对童叟无欺” (Please, buy with confidence. We are absolutely fair to everyone here).

Formality & Connotation: The term is universally understood and carries a strongly positive connotation. It can be used in both formal and informal settings when discussing business ethics.

Not “The Customer is Always Right”: Do not confuse 童叟无欺 with the Western service philosophy “the customer is always right.” The latter is about accommodating customer demands and ensuring satisfaction. 童叟无欺 is about the merchant's integrity and ethical conduct during the transaction—specifically, not cheating them on price or quality. A shop can be 童叟无欺 but still refuse an unreasonable customer demand.

More Than Just “Fair Price”: While it strongly implies a fair price, the idiom's meaning is broader. It also encompasses honesty about the quality of goods, accurate weights and measures, and a general lack of deception in the entire business process.

诚信 (chéngxìn): Integrity, trustworthiness, sincerity. This is the core philosophical value that `童叟无欺` embodies.

货真价实 (huò zhēn jià shí): Genuine goods at a fair price. A very close synonym that is often used together with `童叟无欺`.

奸商 (jiān shāng): An unscrupulous or dishonest merchant. The direct antonym of a merchant who is `童叟无欺`.

老字号 (lǎozìhào): A time-honored brand or old, established shop. These businesses are culturally expected to operate on the principle of `童叟无欺`.

公平交易 (gōngpíng jiāoyì): Fair trade, fair deal. A more modern and literal term for an equitable transaction.

一分钱一分货 (yī fēn qián yī fēn huò): “You get what you pay for.” A related, pragmatic concept about value, suggesting a fair correlation between price and quality.

欺骗 (qīpiàn): To cheat, to deceive. The verb form of the character `欺` in the idiom, representing the very action that is being negated.

讲信用 (jiǎng xìnyòng): To be trustworthy, to keep one's word. A key personal and business attribute related to `童叟无欺`.