Meaning and Usage
"诚实" (chéng shí) means "honest" or "sincere." It describes a person or behavior that is truthful and trustworthy. It is often used to praise someone's character or to emphasize the importance of truthfulness in communication.
Common Collocations
- 诚实的人 (honest person): used to describe someone with integrity.
- 诚实回答 (honest answer): used when requesting truthful responses.
- 诚实守信 (honest and trustworthy): a common phrase emphasizing reliability.
Usage Notes
"诚实" is a positive adjective and is often used in formal and informal contexts. It can describe both personality traits and specific actions. Unlike "老实" which can imply simplicity or docility, "诚实" focuses on truthfulness and sincerity.
Avoiding Confusion
Do not confuse "诚实" with "真实" (real, true) which refers more to factual accuracy rather than moral honesty. "诚实" emphasizes ethical truthfulness rather than just factual correctness.