Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Full of integrity; honest and incorruptible: Describes a person, especially a public official, who is morally upright, not susceptible to bribery, and adheres strictly to principles of honesty and fairness.
   • Clean; pure; uncorrupted: Refers to a character or conduct that is free from greed, corruption, or dishonorable motives.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ông ấy là một viên chức thanh liêm. (He is an honest and incorruptible official.)
  • Sự thanh liêm của vị quan được mọi người kính trọng. (The mandarin's integrity was respected by everyone.)
  • Một thẩm phán phải luôn giữ mình thanh liêm. (A judge must always remain incorruptible.)

Advanced Usage

• "thanh liêm chính trực": A common four-word idiom meaning "incorruptible and upright," emphasizing both integrity and righteousness.
  • Người lãnh đạo lý tưởng phải thanh liêm chính trực. (An ideal leader must be incorruptible and upright.)

Variants and Related Words

• Liêm khiết (adj): Upright, honest. Often used interchangeably with "thanh liêm," sometimes with a stronger emphasis on purity of character.

  • Một người liêm khiết không nhận hối lộ. (An upright person does not accept bribes.)

• Liêm chính (adj): Honest and righteous.

  • Nền hành chính liêm chính. (An honest and righteous administration.)

Synonyms

• Incorruptible: Incapable of being morally corrupted, especially by bribery.
• Honest: Free of deceit; truthful and sincere.
• Upright: Strictly honorable or honest.
• Integrous (less common): Possessing integrity.

Related Idioms

• "Thanh như thủy, liêm như mai": Pure as water, incorruptible as the plum blossom. A poetic saying praising purity and integrity.
• "Cần kiệm liêm chính, chí công vô tư": Diligent, thrifty, honest, righteous, devoted to public service, and selfless. A famous moral guideline.

adj

1. full of integrity