正直
zhèng zhí · HSK 7
upright
📏 正直 = 正 correct + 直 straight; someone correct-and-straight is honest, upright
正 means correct or proper; 直 means straight, as in a straight line. A person who is both proper and straight stays honest and upstanding. The English compound straight-shooter runs on the same logic as 直.
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.
直 — 十 ten + 目 eye + 乚 hidden line
Originally depicted an eye (目) looking straight along a vertical line, suggesting a direct, unswerving gaze. The form combines 目 'eye' with strokes indicating straightness. From this came the meanings 'straight,' 'upright,' and by extension 'honest' or 'direct.'