公明正大(こうめいせいだい)

こうめいせいだい
na-adjective
fair and square; open and aboveboard
idiom
1. fair and square; open and aboveboard; impartial
Describing actions, conduct, or character that are completely fair, transparent, and without hidden motives.
公明正大(こうめいせいだい)な選挙(せんきょ)を行(おこな)う。
To conduct a fair and transparent election.
彼(かれ)は公明正大(こうめいせいだい)な人柄(ひとがら)で知(し)られている。
He is known for his fair and upright character.
公明正大(こうめいせいだい)に物事(ものごと)を進(すす)める。
To proceed with things openly and fairly.

公明正大(こうめいせいだい) is a four-character idiom for conduct that is both fair and out in the open — nothing decided behind closed doors, nothing hidden from the people it affects.

Usage

  • Modifies a noun with な: 公明正大(こうめいせいだい)な態度(たいど)
  • Modifies a verb with に: 公明正大(こうめいせいだい)に進(すす)める
  • Belongs to formal registers — elections, hiring, audits, official statements — and sounds heavy in casual conversation

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 公平(こうへい) is the everyday word for "fair". It says everyone is treated alike; 公明正大(こうめいせいだい) adds that the process is open to scrutiny.
  • 不正(ふせい) (wrongdoing, corruption) is what the idiom is usually asserted against.

Related Words

Related: 公平(こうへい) (fair, impartial (everyday word))
Compare: 不正(ふせい) (wrongdoing, corruption)
general
Added 2026.1.19 7:21 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
07000/07052_koumeiseidai