Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
天经地义 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
天经地义tiānjīngdìyìlit. heaven's law and earth's principle (idiom); fig. right and properHSK 7, unknown, 21 strokes, rank #32116, Very Hard
天经地义tiānjīngdìyìright and unalterableHSK 7, unknown, 21 strokes, rank #32116, Very Hard
天经地义tiānjīngdìyìa matter of courseHSK 7, unknown, 21 strokes, rank #32116, Very Hard
tiānjīngdìyì(tian1jing1di4yi4)tian jing di yi T1
  1. 1lit. heaven's law and earth's principle (idiom); fig. right and proper
  2. 2right and unalterable
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

天经地义(天經地義)tiānjīngdìyì(tian1jing1di4yi4)

The idiom 天经地义 (tiān jīng dì yì) literally translates to 'heaven's law and earth's principle.' It conveys the idea of something being inherently right, proper, and beyond dispute. This phrase is often used to describe actions or principles that are universally accepted as correct or justifiable.

Strokes21Frequency#32116DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the notion of 天经地义 reflects a deep-rooted belief in moral order and cosmic harmony, often linked to Confucian values. It underscores the importance of adhering to societal norms and ethical conduct.

Memory tip

Imagine the sky (天) and the ground (地) as two pillars holding up a great book of laws (经) that govern everything. If you picture these laws as unchangeable truths (义), it becomes easier to remember that this idiom signifies what is fundamentally right and cannot be questioned.

Meanings of 天经地义

tiānjīngdìyì(tian1jing1di4yi4)
1lit. heaven's law and earth's principle (idiom); fig. right and proper
2right and unalterable
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 天经地义 means.

About 天经地义

天经地义Simplified
天經地義Traditional
21Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 天经地义

JasonAmy

Podcast: 天经地义

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 天经地义

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in formal contexts to assert the righteousness of a principle or action. A common mistake is using it in casual conversations, where simpler phrases might suffice. Be cautious with the tone; it should be delivered with conviction to convey authority.

HSK Study Tips

Although this idiom is not part of the HSK levels, it connects well with other idiomatic expressions that express moral or ethical principles. Students should focus on understanding idiomatic usage and context to enhance their conversational skills.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse this idiom with simpler phrases expressing agreement or correctness. For instance, saying '天经' alone loses the nuance. Always use the complete phrase 天经地义 to convey the full meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 天经地义

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 天经地义, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 天经地义 to you

Let me explain 天经地义 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 天经地义 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 天经地义?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 天经地义 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Idiom spotlight: 天经地义

Chengyu origin story
Literal meaning:heaven sutra earth righteousness

Component characters

天tiānday
HSK 14 strokes大
View full entry
经Jīngclassics
HSK 78 strokes纟
View full entry
地dìearth
HSK 26 strokes土
View full entry
义yìjustice
HSK 53 strokes丿
View full entry

How to say lit. heaven's law and earth's principle (idiom); fig. right and proper in Chinese

“lit. heaven's law and earth's principle (idiom); fig. right and proper” in Chinese is天经地义tiānjīngdìyì

The idiom 天经地义 (tiān jīng dì yì) literally translates to 'heaven's law and earth's principle.' It conveys the idea of something being inherently right, proper, and beyond dispute. This phrase is often used to describe actions or principles that are universally accepted as correct or justifiable.

When to use 天经地义

This idiom is often used in formal contexts to assert the righteousness of a principle or action. A common mistake is using it in casual conversations, where simpler phrases might suffice. Be cautious with the tone; it should be delivered with conviction to convey authority.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse this idiom with simpler phrases expressing agreement or correctness. For instance, saying '天经' alone loses the nuance. Always use the complete phrase 天经地义 to convey the full meaning.

Write 天经地义

天
经
地
义

Practice writing 天经地义 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 天经地义?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Frequently asked questions about 天经地义

It's best suited for formal discussions or written contexts where you want to emphasize the correctness of a principle.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 天经地义?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab