德才兼备 décái-jiānbèi possessing both integrity and talent
(idiom) possessing both integrity and talent
How to remember 德才兼备: 德 morality + 才 only just + 兼 both + 备 prepare = possessing both integrity and talent.
Characters
How it is used
- Praises someone as possessing both moral integrity and ability - 我们要选德才兼备的人 (wǒmen yào xuǎn décái-jiānbèi de rén) we should choose people of both virtue and talent.
- The 德 (virtue) always precedes 才 (talent), reflecting the idea virtue comes first; contrast 有才无德 (talented but unprincipled).
- Formal, common in hiring, promotion, and official evaluations; near 德艺双馨 for artists.