Meaning
清白 literally means 'clear and white,' conveying the idea of purity and innocence. It refers to someone's unblemished reputation, moral integrity, or lack of guilt in a situation. The term carries strong moral connotations in Chinese culture, where preserving one's 清白 is considered important for personal honor and family reputation.
Usage
Commonly used in formal or serious contexts when discussing someone's innocence in legal matters, moral character, or reputation. Often appears in phrases like 证明清白 (prove one's innocence) or 保持清白 (maintain one's integrity). It's more formal than casual speech and frequently used in news, literature, or when making serious declarations about character.
Examples
- 01他要在法庭上证明自己的清白。.He wants to prove his innocence in court.
- 02她一生清清白白，从不做违法的事。, .She has been blameless her whole life and has never done anything illegal.
Characters
Common collocations
- 证明清白to prove one's innocence
- 清清白白completely innocent/above board
- 保持清白to maintain one's integrity
- 还我清白give me back my good name
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 清 (clear/pure) and 白 (white) creates a metaphor where whiteness represents moral purity and clarity represents transparency or freedom from stain. This reflects traditional Chinese associations of white with purity and clarity with honesty.