见义勇为

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jiàn yì yǒng wéi
• English Translation: To act bravely for a just cause
• Idiom Composition: 「见」（To see or to encounter）＋「义」（Justice, righteousness, or moral duty）＋「勇」（Bravely or courageously）＋「为」（To do or to act）
• Meaning: To see what is right or encounter a situation where help is needed and act courageously without regard for one's own safety or difficulties. It is a high form of praise used to describe heroic actions, such as saving lives or stopping crimes.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「见义勇为」 contains the following nuances:

• Practice of Moral Duty: It is not just about being brave; the action must be rooted in 义 (yì), or righteousness. It refers to acting for the sake of others or society rather than for personal gain.
• Spirit of Self-Sacrifice: The term strongly implies risking one's own safety to help others, such as jumping into water to save a drowning person or confronting a robber.
• Official Recognition: In modern Chinese society, this term has become a formal designation for specific 'good deeds' that qualify for legal and administrative awards.

3. Usage

「见义勇为」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Emergencies and Life-saving: Used when someone helps others in life-threatening situations, such as rescuing someone from drowning or a fire.
  • Example:「他不顾个人安危跳入河中救人，这种见义勇为的精神值得大家学习。」
    （He jumped into the river to save someone regardless of his own safety; this spirit of acting bravely for a just cause is something everyone should learn from.）
• Crime Prevention: Used when a citizen intervenes during a crime, such as a robbery or theft, to catch the perpetrator or protect the victim.
  • Example:「面对持刀歹徒，这位市民见义勇为，协助警方制服了罪犯。」
    （Facing a knife-wielding thug, this citizen acted heroically and assisted the police in subduing the criminal.）
• Official Commendation: A standard phrase used in news reports or award ceremonies to honor heroic citizens.
  • Example:「市政府举行了隆重的仪式，表彰那几位见义勇为的英雄。」
    （The city government held a grand ceremony to commend those heroes who acted bravely for justice.）

Additional Examples:

1. 见义勇为是中华民族的传统美德。
   （Acting bravely for a just cause is a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation.）
2. 看到老人摔倒，路过的学生见义勇为，立刻上前搀扶并拨打了急救电话。
   （Seeing an elderly person fall, a passing student acted courageously by immediately stepping forward to help them up and calling an ambulance.）
3. 社会需要更多见义勇为的人来传递正能量。
   （Society needs more courageous and righteous people to spread positive energy.）
4. 虽然他只是个普通人，但在关键时刻却能见义勇为。
   （Although he is just an ordinary person, he was able to stand up bravely for justice at a critical moment.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Origin and Evolution: The term comes from the Analects (论语), specifically the 'Wei Zheng' chapter, where Confucius (孔子) said: 'To see what is right and not do it is a lack of courage' (见义不为，无勇也). While originally a warning against cowardice, it evolved into a positive idiom for proactive bravery.
• Institutionalization in Modern China: 见义勇为 (jiàn yì yǒng wéi) is more than a moral concept; it is supported by legal protections and reward systems. Many local governments have established 'Jianyi Yongwei Foundations' (见义勇为基金会) to compensate for medical expenses of those injured while helping others and to provide public honors.
• Social Context: Following public concerns where people were hesitant to help for fear of being falsely accused by those they assisted, the Chinese government has strengthened legal protections for 'Good Samaritans' to actively encourage this spirit.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 挺身而出 (tǐng shēn ér chū): To step forward bravely in the face of difficulty or danger.
  • 拔刀相助 (bá dāo xiāng zhù): To draw one's sword to help another; to take up the cudgels for someone out of a sense of justice.
  • 大公无私 (dà gōng wú sī): To be completely fair and unselfish.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 见死不救 (jiàn sǐ bù jiù): To see someone in mortal danger and fail to help.
  • 袖手旁观 (xiù shǒu páng guān): To look on with folded arms; to stand by and watch without getting involved.link
  • 乘人之危 (chéng rén zhī wēi): To take advantage of someone's precarious position or misfortune.link

6. Summary

见义勇为 (jiàn yì yǒng wéi) is a prestigious idiom used to commend individuals who act on their sense of justice to help others or stop wrongdoing despite personal risk. Originating from the Analects (论语), it has become a standard term in modern China for officially recognizing citizens who perform heroic acts like life-saving or crime prevention. It represents a level of bravery that goes beyond simple kindness.