# 两袖清风

liǎng xiù qīng fēng

Be honest and free of corrupt gain

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Only a clean breeze fills both sleeves

**Traditional Chinese:** 兩袖清風

**Register:** Respectful · literary

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

## When to use it

Praise integrity in an entrusted position.

Does not require poverty or reject lawful earnings.

## Understanding the expression

Empty sleeves filled only by air suggest that the person carries no hidden wealth taken through their position. Modern use often praises officials or other trusted people who remain honest and uncorrupted. The image can also evoke a simple life. Its moral point is clean conduct, not lack of money itself. A person can earn a fair income and retain integrity, while poverty alone does not establish honesty or public virtue.

## Examples

他任职多年，仍两袖清风。

### Traditional Chinese

他任職多年，仍兩袖清風。

tā rèn zhí duō nián ， réng liǎng xiù qīng fēng 。

After years in office, he remains uncorrupted.

这位校长两袖清风，深受尊敬。

### Traditional Chinese

這位校長兩袖清風，深受尊敬。

zhè wèi xiào zhǎng liǎng xiù qīng fēng ， shēn shòu zūn jìng 。

This honest headteacher is widely respected.

她离职时两袖清风，没有私占公物。

### Traditional Chinese

她離職時兩袖清風，沒有私佔公物。

tā lí zhí shí liǎng xiù qīng fēng ， méi yǒu sī zhàn gōng wù 。

She left without taking any public property.

传记称赞他两袖清风的品格。

### Traditional Chinese

傳記稱讚他兩袖清風的品格。

zhuàn jì chēng zàn tā liǎng xiù qīng fēng de pǐn gé 。

The biography praises his incorruptible character.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%85%A9%E8%A2%96%E6%B8%85%E9%A2%A8)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=201&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [另眼相看 lìng yǎn xiāng kàn Regard someone differently, often more favorably ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ling-yan-xiang-kan)

- [流芳百世 liú fāng bǎi shì Leave a good reputation for generations ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/liu-fang-bai-shi)

- [流言蜚语 liú yán fēi yǔ Unfounded rumors and malicious gossip ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/liu-yan-fei-yu)

- [路不拾遗 lù bù shí yí A community is so honest that lost items remain untouched ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/lu-bu-shi-yi)

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