Definitions
(adjective)
bright; honest; upright
(noun)
surname
Etymology phono-semantic
fire
Semantic:
火
About
The character "耿" has maintained a stable form throughout its history, composed of the radical "耳" (ear) on the left and the component "火" (fire) on the right, a structure that directly informs its original meaning. Etymologically, this combination was used to convey a sense of brightness or illumination, specifically referring to the glow emanating from the ears of a horse, a detail which later generalized to describe any vivid or shining light. Over time, this luminous quality underwent a metaphorical extension, shifting from the physical realm to describe a quality of character, where it came to signify an inner clarity and moral brightness, thus taking on the meaning of "upright", "honest", and "uncorrupted". This abstract sense of integrity, implying a person whose principles are clear and unwavering, eventually became the character's primary and enduring meaning, completely supplanting its earlier association with physical light.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我的同学叫耿伟。
他性格很耿直。
耿先生是个好人。
她说话耿直，不拐弯抹角。
我对他的耿直行为印象深刻。
尽管遇到困难，他始终保持着耿直的品质。
在讨论中，他耿直地提出了反对意见。
他的耿直虽然有时让人难以接受，但却赢得了大家的尊重。