理直气壮
lǐ zhí qì zhuàng
Justified confidence · trad. 理直氣壯
Someone speaks or acts with complete confidence because their reasoning is sound and their position is morally or logically correct. This idiom describes a person who feels fully justified and therefore acts assertively without hesitation.
What does 理直气壮 (lǐ zhí qì zhuàng) mean?
理直气壮 (lǐ zhí qì zhuàng) means "justified confidence" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "reason is right, spirit is strong."
Character by character
- 理 lǐ reason, logic
- 直 zhí straight, just
- 气 qì spirit, vigor
- 壮 zhuàng strong, bold
When to use it
Describes a person's demeanor when they are certain of their righteousness or the validity of their argument. It implies a sense of moral authority or undeniable logic, often used when someone is defending their actions or statements against doubt or opposition.
Example
他的话理直气壮，说得大家不知如何回答。
Tā dehuà lǐ zhí qì zhuàng, shuō de dàjiā bùzhī rúhé huídá.
His words were so confident and well-reasoned that everyone was at a loss for how to respond.
Pro tip: The idiom emphasizes not just the correctness of one's argument, but also the forceful and unyielding manner in which it is presented, stemming from that conviction.
Related idioms
乐于助人 · Joy in helping others力所能及 · Within one's capability恋恋不舍 · Unwilling to part or leave
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