諺語 · a single proverb
忠心耿耿
What does 忠心耿耿 (zhōng xīn gěng gěng) mean?
忠心耿耿 (zhōng xīn gěng gěng) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "loyal heart bright bright." In use it means: Wholehearted loyalty; steadfast and sincere devotion. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Fire note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dog.
Literally: "loyal heart bright bright."
The reading
The bright star does not debate whether to shine on cloudy nights. Loyalty does not perform itself only when witnesses are present; its quality is precisely that it continues without the audience. What is constant without prompting is the only kind of constancy worth trusting.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Traditional Chinese idiom (common in historical and literary contexts)
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Friendship, Trust & Speech, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dog, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 忠心耿耿 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 忠心耿耿 (zhōng xīn gěng gěng) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Traditional Chinese idiom (common in historical and literary contexts). It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 忠心耿耿?
In Mandarin it is zhōng xīn gěng gěng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 忠心耿耿 aloud in Mandarin.