正义
zhèngyì · HSK 5
justice
⚖️ 正义 = upright (正) + righteousness (义); 'correct + duty' = justice
正 means upright or correct; 义 means righteousness or duty. Together they form the abstract concept of justice — doing what is morally correct. Common in legal and ethical contexts.
正 — one 一 + stop 止
Originally an ideograph showing a foot (止) advancing toward a target line (一), meaning 'to march straight toward' a city or goal. From this came the senses 'upright,' 'correct,' and 'proper.' The military sense survives in 征 (to campaign), which took over the original 'march' meaning.