公明正大|こうめいせいだいkoumeiseidai[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjective, nounfair; just and upright; open and honest; aboveboard; honourable
   裁判さいばんは公明正大こうめいせいだいであることが要求ようきゅうされる。↗

   Judgment requires impartiality.

• Synonym公正こうせいNeutralEveryday word for fairness in judgments and handling, as in 「公正な審査」; unlike 「公明正大」 it lacks the nuance of being open and aboveboard.
• Synonym公平こうへいNeutralEveryday word for treating everyone alike without favoritism, as in 「公平に分ける」; it centers on fair division and treatment rather than open, upright bearing.
• SynonymフェアCasualColloquial loanword for fair and square play; used mostly in games and competition, as in 「フェアプレー」.
• Synonym公明こうめいWrittenWritten/formal prose for fairness with nothing concealed, as in 「公明な選挙」; the headword adds dignified uprightness.
• Synonym正しいただしいNeutralThe most common everyday word; it judges whether something is correct and in line with reason, without any nuance of selfless openness.
• Related正当せいとうNeutralFocuses on being right in terms of reason and law, as in 「正当な理由」; it judges whether something is legitimate rather than open and upright.
• Related厳正げんせいWrittenWritten/formal prose word for strict as well as fair handling, as in 「厳正に処分する」; carries a stern, rigorous nuance.
• Related正直しょうじきNeutralEveryday word for personal honesty — not lying, being frank; it describes character rather than the fair, open conduct of 「公明正大」.
• Related清廉せいれんWrittenWritten/formal prose for being free of selfish desire and greed — personal probity rather than open, fair dealing.
• Related廉潔れんけつWrittenWritten/formal prose for having no selfish motives and keeping one's conduct upright and beyond reproach.
• Related真っ正直まっしょうじきCasualColloquial for being honest through and through, with nothing mixed in; plainer and more artless in feel than 「公明正大」.
• Related真正直ましょうじきCasualColloquial but rare; means the same as 「真っ正直」 — completely honest, with no pretense.
• Related廉直れんちょくWrittenWritten/formal prose and rare; stresses being clean-handed and upright, i.e. incorruptible integrity.
• Antonym不正ふせいNeutralAntonym: unfairness or wrongdoing that violates norms — the opposite of the fair, open conduct of 「公明正大」.
• Antonym陰険いんけんNeutralAntonym: sly and malicious beneath a pleasant surface — the opposite of the open, aboveboard stance of 「公明正大」.

Use 「公明正大」 for acting with no selfish motive and nothing to hide — a written/formal expression, as in 「公明正大な選挙」「公明正大に戦う」. For everyday fairness use 「公平」 (even treatment) or 「公正」 (fair judgment); for games and contests, 「フェア」. 「正当」 stresses legitimacy, 「厳正」 strict fairness, 「正直」 personal honesty, and written 「清廉」「廉潔」 incorruptibility. Antonyms: 「陰険」 and 「不正」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 公平こうへい無私むしでやましくなく、堂々どうどうとしていて正ただしいこと。