三纲五常 in English san1 gang1 wu3 chang2 Meaning

Meanings

  • three principles and five virtues (idiomatic expression)
  • the three rules (ruler guides subject, father guides son and husomebodyand guides wife) and five constant virtues of Confucianism (benevolence 仁, righteousness 義|义, propriety 禮|礼, wisdom 智 and fidelity 信)

Simplified Characters

三 纲 五 常

Traditional Characters

三 綱 五 常

Pinyin

san1 gang1 wu3 chang2

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

三san1surname San 纲gang1head rope of a fishing net 五wu3five 常chang2surname Chang