德 (dé) - Virtue, morality, ethics, moral character & kindness

德Tone 2

dé ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

德 · dé

Virtue, morality, ethics, moral character;

kindness;

also refers to Germany in modern usage.

Virtue, morality, ethics, moral characterkindnessalso refers to Germany in modern usage.

Usage highlights

MoralityVirtueGermanyGratitudeBenevolenceCultivate virtue

Synonyms

  • 道— the Way, principle, path
  • 仁— benevolence, humaneness
  • 义— righteousness, justice

Antonyms

  • 恶— evil, wickedness
  • 罪— crime, sin

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is a person of high moral character (品德高尚).
  • We should cultivate virtue and ethics (培养道德).
  • She received Germany's highest civilian award (德国最高平民奖).
  • This action shows great benevolence (仁德).

Collocations

  • Morality(道德)
  • Virtue(品德)
  • Germany(德国)
  • Gratitude(感恩戴德)
  • Benevolence(仁德)
  • Cultivate virtue(修德)

Idioms

  • Virtue is not solitary, it must have neighbors(德不孤，必有邻)
  • Grateful for favors and bearing virtue in mind(感恩戴德)
  • Virtue matches position(德配其位)
  • Accumulate virtue and do good(积德行善)
  • Virtue is fundamental(德为本)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Central concept in Confucian philosophy representing moral excellence and proper conduct.
  • Traditionally considered one of the most important qualities for rulers and gentlemen.
  • In modern context, also used as shorthand for Germany (德意志).
  • The character appears in many Chinese given names to express wishes for moral character.

FAQ