phân minh

Vietnamese

Etymology

Sino-Vietnamese word from 分明, composed of 分 (“to divide; to part; to separate”) and 明 (“clear”)

Adjective

phân minh

1. that which is recognized, distinguished and/or dealt with in a clear, unambiguous, fair and impartial manner

   công tư phân minh

   I/we draw a clear line between public and private affairs

   (literally, “unambgious public and private affairs”)

   thưởng phạt phân minh

   I/we only reward and punish fairly, without prejudice

   (literally, “unambiguous reward and punishment”)

   tiền bạc phân minh, ái tình dứt khoát

   when it comes to money, everything must be fair and transparent, and when it comes to romance, everything must be unequivocal and resolute

   (literally, “unambiguous monetary matters, resolute romantic affairs”)

References

• "phân minh" in Hồ Ngọc Đức, Free Vietnamese Dictionary Project (details)