# 天经地义

tiān jīng dì yì

Be regarded as right and proper

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The constant laws of heaven and earth

**Traditional Chinese:** 天經地義

**Register:** Assertive · general

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Assert a strong moral or accepted principle.

A confident assertion still needs justification.

## Understanding the expression

The phrase compares a rule with the stable order of the world, giving it a sense of unquestioned legitimacy. Modern speakers use it for duties or principles they regard as obviously right. It can support fairness, but also make an assumption seem beyond discussion. The expression conveys the speaker's certainty rather than proving the claim. When values differ, explaining the reason helps more than simply declaring a rule unquestionable.

## Examples

借钱要还，是天经地义的。

### Traditional Chinese

借錢要還，是天經地義的。

jiè qián yào hái ， shì tiān jīng dì yì de 。

Repaying borrowed money is plainly right.

尊重劳动是天经地义的事。

### Traditional Chinese

尊重勞動是天經地義的事。

zūn zhòng láo dòng shì tiān jīng dì yì de shì 。

Respecting labor is right and proper.

她不认为加班无偿是天经地义。

### Traditional Chinese

她不認為加班無償是天經地義。

tā bú rèn wéi jiā bān wú cháng shì tiān jīng dì yì 。

She does not regard unpaid overtime as automatically justified.

父母的付出不是天经地义的。

### Traditional Chinese

父母的付出不是天經地義的。

fù mǔ de fù chū bú shì tiān jīng dì yì de 。

Parents' sacrifices should not simply be taken for granted.

## 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%A4%A9%E7%B6%93%E5%9C%B0%E7%BE%A9)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=131&webMd=1&la=0)

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