誠實 / 诚实
chéngshí
The English word 'honest' can be translated into Chinese as 誠實 / 诚实 (chéngshí). Wiktionary also lists 正直 (zhèngzhí) and 老實 / 老实 (lǎoshi).
Meaning: scrupulous with regard to telling the truth (adj)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 誠實 / 诚实 | chéngshí |
| 正直 | zhèngzhí |
| 老實 / 老实 | lǎoshi |
誠實 / 诚实 is the standard, neutral term used to describe a person's character or a truthful statement. It is also commonly used in the context of telling the truth, such as in the phrase 誠實面對事實 (to face facts honestly).
Which one should you use?
While 誠實 / 诚实 is a neutral way to say 'honest', 正直 is a stronger term that implies moral uprightness and integrity. Finally, 老實 / 老实 can mean 'honest' in a way that implies a person is simple-minded, docile or even easily fooled.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because these are adjectives, they are often preceded by an adverb of degree like 很 (hěn – very) rather than a copula like 'is' in simple descriptive sentences.
How do you pronounce it?
chéngshí
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucianism, the concept of 誠 is not just about telling the truth but is seen as a fundamental cosmic force that sustains the universe.
- The phrase 說老實話 is the common way to say 'to be honest' or 'to tell the truth' when introducing a candid or potentially uncomfortable opinion.
- The character 誠 in 誠實 originally depicted a word spoken with a sincere heart, reflecting a cultural emphasis on the alignment of internal feeling and external speech.
Examples in context
- 他十分正直。He is very honest.This sentence uses 正直.Tatoeba #2662470 by hoishing, translation #292122 by CK
- 我們覺得湯姆是個正直的人。We think of Tom as an honest man.Tatoeba #10357440 by DaoSeng, translation #248237 by saeb
- 直到1985年前我是一個正直的人。I was an honest man until 1985.Tatoeba #824407 by Martha, translation #823913 by FeuDRenais2
- 他是个诚实的人。He is an honest person.
- 他是个老实人，从不说谎。He is an honest person and never tells lies.
- 告诉他实话吧，他很老实。Tell him the truth, he is very honest.
- 我对你的感激是真诚的。I'm sincerely grateful to you.
- 佢係個好老實嘅人。He is a very honest person.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “honest” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
