廉 (lián) - Honest, incorruptible, inexpensive & also refers to the side or edge of

廉Tone 2

lián ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

廉 · lián

Honest, incorruptible, inexpensive;

also refers to the side or edge of something;

a surname.

Honest, incorruptible, inexpensivealso refers to the side or edge ofa surname.

Usage highlights

Honest and cleanLow priceIncorrupt governmentA sense of shameHonest officialClear and honest

Synonyms

  • 清— clear; pure; uncorrupted
  • 洁— clean; pure

Antonyms

  • 贪— corrupt; greedy
  • 腐— rotten; corrupt
  • 贵— expensive; noble

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is an honest and upright official (廉洁的官员).
  • The price is very cheap (价格低廉).
  • The Lian family lives next door (廉家).
  • Investigate integrity and corruption (廉政).

Collocations

  • Honest and clean(廉洁)
  • Low price(低廉)
  • Incorrupt government(廉政)
  • A sense of shame(廉耻)
  • Honest official(廉吏)
  • Clear and honest(清廉)

Idioms

  • Honest and incorruptible, serving the public(廉洁奉公)
  • Prices are stable and reasonable(价廉物美)
  • Know shame and then courage(知耻近乎勇, from 礼义廉耻)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the 'Four Cardinal Principles' (礼义廉耻) in traditional Chinese ethics, representing integrity and a sense of shame.
  • Highly valued virtue for officials, epitomized by historical figures known for their incorruptibility.
  • The character's structure combines a building radical (广) with a component (兼) that may suggest combining duties without bias.

FAQ