Meaning
节操 refers to a person's moral principles, integrity, and adherence to ethical standards. It describes someone's commitment to moral values and their ability to maintain dignity and honor even under difficult circumstances. The term carries a traditional, somewhat formal tone and is often used to praise someone's character or criticize those who compromise their principles.
Usage
This is a relatively formal or literary term commonly used in written Chinese and serious discussions about character and ethics. In modern internet slang, 节操 is sometimes used humorously to mean 'shame' or 'dignity,' as in '掉节操' (to lose one's shame/dignity) when referring to embarrassing situations. The traditional usage emphasizes unwavering moral standards, particularly in the face of temptation or pressure.
Examples
- 01他是一个有节操的人，从不为了金钱放弃自己的原则。, .He is a person of integrity who never abandons his principles for money.
- 02在那个艰难的时代，许多知识分子依然保持着自己的节操。, .During that difficult era, many intellectuals still maintained their moral integrity.
Characters
Common collocations
- 保持节操to maintain one's integrity
- 丧失节操to lose one's principles
- 有节操to have integrity
- 掉节操(slang) to lose dignity/shame
Antonyms
Origin
The term combines 节 (restraint, integrity) and 操 (conduct, behavior), literally meaning 'restrained conduct.' It has classical roots in Confucian thought, where maintaining moral integrity and proper conduct were considered essential virtues for the educated person.