serious; earnest; proper
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadjective
serious; earnest; proper; genuine
informalOriginally a northern dialect expression, now widely used in colloquial Mandarin. Can be used as an adjective with 的 or as an adverb with 地. Often implies a contrast with casual or joking behavior.
Tā他
shì是
ge个
zhèng正
er儿
bā八
jīng经
de的
zhuāng庄
jia稼
rén人
。
He is a serious, hardworking farmer.
Zán咱
men们
zhèng正
er儿
bā八
jīng经
de地
qǐng请
tā他
lái来
chī吃
dùn顿
fàn饭
。
Let's invite him to dinner properly, with all due respect.
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Nǐ你
zhèng正
er儿
bā八
jīng经
de地
huí回
dá答
wǒ我
de的
wèn问
tí题
，
bié别
kāi开
wán玩
xiào笑
。
Answer my question seriously; don't joke around.
Biǎo表
miàn面
shang上
kàn看
tā他
bù不
zhèng正
jing经
，
qí其
shí实
zuò做
qi起
shēng生
yì意
lái来
zhèng正
er儿
bā八
jīng经
de的
。
He may seem frivolous on the surface, but he's actually very serious when it comes to doing business.