# 理直气壮

lǐ zhí qì zhuàng

Speak confidently because one's position is justified

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Reason is sound and spirit is strong

**Traditional Chinese:** 理直氣壯

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe confidence grounded in a reasonable position.

A forceful tone alone does not prove that the speaker is right.

## The image & its use

A person can explain a choice confidently when they have clear reasons and reliable information. This expression connects the strength of the explanation with the firmness of its delivery. It is useful when someone asks for a fair arrangement or clarifies a decision without hesitation. Yet a loud or certain voice does not itself establish a good reason. Show the evidence or principle behind the confidence, and leave room for the other person to ask questions or provide new information.

## Examples

她依据约定，理直气壮地提出调整时间。

### Traditional Chinese

她依據約定，理直氣壯地提出調整時間。

tā yī jù yuē dìng ， lǐ zhí qì zhuàng dì tí chū tiáo zhěng shí jiān 。

She confidently requested a time adjustment based on the agreement.

资料核对无误后，他理直气壮地说明结论。

### Traditional Chinese

資料核對無誤後，他理直氣壯地說明結論。

zī liào hé duì wú wù hòu ， tā lǐ zhí qì zhuàng dì shuō míng jié lùn 。

After checking the information, he confidently explained the conclusion.

认真完成了任务，她可以理直气壮地介绍成果。

### Traditional Chinese

認真完成了任務，她可以理直氣壯地介紹成果。

rèn zhēn wán chéng le rèn wu ， tā kě yǐ lǐ zhí qì zhuàng dì jiè shào chéng guǒ 。

Having completed the task carefully, she could confidently present the results.

理直气壮地表达意见，也要尊重别人。

### Traditional Chinese

理直氣壯地表達意見，也要尊重別人。

lǐ zhí qì zhuàng dì biǎo dá yì jiàn ， yě yào zūn zhòng bié rén 。

Even when confidently expressing a justified view, respect others.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1231&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%90%86%E7%9B%B4%E6%B0%A3%E5%A3%AF)

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