(zhèng) - To admonish frankly & to remonstrate

Tone 4

zhèng | 13 strokes | radical:

· zhèng

To admonish frankly;

to remonstrate;

to criticize bluntly for correction;

to offer candid advice.

To admonish franklyto remonstrateto criticize bluntly for correction

Usage highlights

Frank admonitionTo remonstrate franklyFrank friendTo argue earnestlyFrank criticismTo admonish bluntly

Synonyms

  • to remonstrate; to admonish
  • to advise; to urge
  • to admonish; to advise against

Antonyms

  • to flatter
  • to fawn; to curry favor
  • 奉承to flatter; to praise insincerely

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He remonstrated with the emperor (向皇帝諍諫).
  • Friends should offer candid advice (朋友之間應有諍言).
  • She gave him frank criticism (對他進行了諍諫).

Collocations

  • Frank admonition(諍言)
  • To remonstrate frankly(諍諫)
  • Frank friend(諍友)
  • To argue earnestly(諍論)
  • Frank criticism(諍諍)
  • To admonish bluntly(直諍)

Idioms

  • A friend who will give frank admonition(諍友)
  • To offer loyal admonition(忠諍)
  • Frank words offend the ear(諍言逆耳)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, offering frank criticism was considered a virtue of loyal ministers and true friends.
  • The concept of 'zheng you' (諍友) refers to friends who dare to point out your faults directly, valued in Confucian ethics.
  • Historical officials were expected to 'zheng jian' (remonstrate) with rulers for the good of the state, even at personal risk.

FAQ