🇬🇧🇨🇳 decency - 体面 : English Lesson

Meaning of "decency" ("体面"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

Decency is when you choose to act in a good, kind, and respectful way, even when nobody is watching. It means you follow good manners, you don’t do rude or cruel things, and you try to treat other people the way you would like to be treated. When you show decency, you make the world around you nicer and more comfortable for everyone.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

In a shocking act of decency, my little brother asked before stealing my fries—then stole them anyway.

Out of decency, I pretended not to notice that Dad’s “fancy” hairstyle was actually just bedhead with hair gel.

In an act of heroic decency, I told my friend he had spinach in his teeth before he smiled at his crush.

The ghost showed decency by warning us before screaming, “BOO!” right in our ears.

Out of decency to everyone’s noses, I opened a window after my brother removed his shoes.

On the packed bus, a young man rises; his small act of decency clears a worried look from an old woman. When a child drops toys, another passenger shows decency by gathering them, their decency quieting the child. The driver thanks everyone; shared decency spreads into smiles. Later he feels warm, proud that simple decency made the whole ride kinder.

This word is at the C2 level, which means it represents the highest mastery of English. It’s often used in specialized or highly formal contexts and helps you communicate with precision and subtlety, much like a native speaker.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.