刚正 (gāng zhèng) is an adjective describing a person’s moral character—specifically, being upright, principled, and incorruptible. The first character 刚 (gāng) conveys firmness, strength, and resoluteness, while 正 (zhèng) means ‘correct,’ ‘righteous,’ or ‘upright.’ Together, they emphasize unwavering adherence to justice and integrity, even in the face of pressure or temptation. This term carries strong positive connotations and is often used to praise officials, judges, scholars, or elders known for their ethical courage and refusal to compromise on moral grounds.

刚正 is typically used in formal or literary contexts—not in casual daily speech—and frequently appears in historical narratives, biographies, official commendations, or classical-style writing. It implies both inner conviction and outward action: a 刚正 person not only believes in fairness but also speaks and acts accordingly, without fear or favor. While similar to words like 正直 (zhèngzhí), 刚正 adds a sharper nuance of toughness and unyielding resolve, making it especially fitting when describing resistance to corruption or abuse of power.