# 正襟危坐

zhèng jīn wēi zuò

Sit upright in a solemn, formal manner

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Straighten the collar and sit properly upright

**Register:** Formal · descriptive

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

## When to use it

Describe serious posture during a formal or tense occasion.

危 here suggests uprightness, not sitting in danger.

## Understanding the expression

Straightening clothing and sitting upright show that someone is treating an occasion seriously. The expression can describe respectful attention, nervous formality, or a deliberately dignified pose. It often contrasts with the relaxed posture someone uses among friends. The character meaning must be read as part of the established phrase: it does not imply physical danger. Context can make the posture admirable, excessive, or gently humorous without changing the basic bodily image.

## Examples

面试开始前，他正襟危坐地等着。

### Traditional Chinese

面試開始前，他正襟危坐地等著。

miàn shì kāi shǐ qián ， tā zhèng jīn wēi zuò dì děng zhe 。

He sat formally upright while waiting for the interview to begin.

听到校长讲话，学生们都正襟危坐。

### Traditional Chinese

聽到校長講話，學生們都正襟危坐。

tīng dào xiào zhǎng jiǎng huà ， xué shēng men dōu zhèng jīn wēi zuò 。

The students sat upright attentively when the principal began speaking.

朋友来吃饭，不必人人正襟危坐。

### Traditional Chinese

朋友來吃飯，不必人人正襟危坐。

péng yǒu lái chī fàn ， bú bì rén rén zhèng jīn wēi zuò 。

Friends coming for dinner need not all sit stiffly upright.

她在镜头前正襟危坐，认真介绍研究结果。

### Traditional Chinese

她在鏡頭前正襟危坐，認真介紹研究結果。

tā zài jìng tóu qián zhèng jīn wēi zuò ， rèn zhēn jiè shào yán jiū jié guǒ 。

She sat formally before the camera and carefully presented the findings.

## 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=%E6%AD%A3%E8%A5%9F%E5%8D%B1%E5%9D%90)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=398&webMd=1&la=0)

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