耿直

gěng zhí

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Adjective Rare

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Definitions

1. honest
2. frank
3. candid

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 委婉 wěi wǎn 委婉 wěi wǎn tactful 指说话含蓄曲折，不直说: tactful

Synonyms

2 items

• 直率 zhí shuài 直率 zhí shuài candid 指说话直截了当，不拐弯抹角: candid
• 正直 zhèng zhí 正直 zhèng zhí upright 指公正坦率，不偏不倚: upright

Usage notes

Common mistakes

耿直 usually modifies a person or their nature; avoid using it for simple straightforward speech without moral connotation, where 直率 may be better.

Formality

耿直 is more formal and often used in written Chinese to describe an upright character.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他性格 耿直 ，从不说假话。

He is honest by nature and never tells lies.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 耿直

• 直 直 zhí: straight
• 耿 耿 gěng: (literary) bright; brilliant