德

悳/惪
dé
彳 + 𢛳

Definitions

dé (noun) virtue; morality; goodness; ethics
Dé (noun) Germany

Etymology

Originally written as 惪, depicting a straight (直) heart (心). The 彳 (walk) component was added later.

Semantic: 心

About

The character 德 is an ideogrammatic and phono-semantic compound. Its left side features the walking radical 彳 (chì), while the right component 悳 is composed of 直 (zhí, "straight") above 心 (xīn, "heart"). Etymologically, it conveys the image of walking a straight, righteous path with an upright heart. This fusion of action and inner rectitude established its core meaning as virtue, moral conduct, and ethics. Historically, it has been widely used in philosophical contexts to denote moral character, kindness, and integrity, qualities defining an ethical individual.

Example Sentences Hide

他的品德很好。

Tā de pǐndé hěn hǎo.

His character is very good.

德国是一个欧洲国家。

Déguó shì yīgè Ōuzhōu guójiā.

Germany is a European country.

道德教育很重要。

Dàodé jiàoyù hěn zhòngyào.

Moral education is very important.

她具有高尚的美德。

Tā jùyǒu gāoshàng de měidé.

She possesses noble virtues.

德才兼备的人很难得。

Décái jiānbèi de rén hěn nándé.

People who have both integrity and ability are rare.

他的行为体现了良好的职业道德。

Tā de xíngwéi tǐxiàn le liánghǎo de zhíyè dàodé.

His behavior reflects good professional ethics.

在德国，人们非常注重守时和诚信的品德。

Zài Déguó, rénmen fēicháng zhùzhòng shǒushí hé chéngxìn de pǐndé.

In Germany, people pay great attention to punctuality and honesty as part of their character.

培养社会公德心是每个公民的责任。

Péiyǎng shèhuì gōngdéxīn shì měi gè gōngmín de zérèn.

Cultivating a sense of social morality is the responsibility of every citizen.

Related Characters

Component: 彳

得 行 很 往 律 微 待 征 徒 街 彻 役 彼 径

Component: 𢛳

聽 聼

Example Words

德克萨斯 德国 德州 德比 爱德华 肯德基 贞德 道德 亚里士多德 杰拉德 全聚德 公德 公德心 刘德华 功德 厚德载物 口德 品德 安德烈 宁德 常德 康德 弗洛伊德 德保