decency
gb/dˈisənsi/ us/dˈisənsi/
B2
English
~ 8700
tisztesség, emberség, udvariasság, közszemérem, közerkölcs, emberhez méltó életkörülmények, alapvető életfeltételek
NOUN
B2
1
tisztesség
B2
emberség
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone's] sense of decency
Out of basic human decency, we should offer them a place to stay.
Elemi emberségből fel kellene ajánlanunk nekik egy helyet, ahol megszállhatnak.
He appealed to their sense of decency and asked them to tell the truth.
Megpróbált a tisztességérzetükre hatni, és megkérte őket, hogy mondják el az igazat.
Treating workers with decency is more important than making extra profit.
She was shocked by the total lack of decency in the way he spoke to his parents.
The letter was a simple call for honesty, respect, and common decency in politics.
Learner examples
We should treat old people with decency.
Tisztességgel kell bánnunk az idős emberekkel.
He has no decency; he lies to everyone.
Nincs benne semmi tisztesség; mindenkinek hazudik.
Good leaders act with decency and respect.
They asked for honesty and basic decency from the company.
Her sense of decency made her tell the truth.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "decency" with "decoration" or "decade" because they look similar; remember that "decency" is about good and proper behaviour, not time or design.
Meaning
basic acceptable moral behaviour
Collocations
basic decency
|common decency
|human decency
|a sense of decency
|show some decency
|lack of decency
Synonyms
morality (Stresses ideas of right and wrong more broadly, not just everyday behaviour.)
|
propriety (More formal; focuses on behaving correctly according to social rules.)
|
respectability (Emphasizes being seen as good and proper by society.)
Antonyms
indecency (Direct opposite; behaviour that clearly breaks accepted standards of what is proper.)
|
immorality (Stresses clear wrong or bad behaviour against moral rules.)
Themes
ethics
|society
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Behaviour that is good, fair, and accepted as right by most people.
Behaviour that follows accepted moral and social standards, especially fairness, honesty, and respect for others.
NOUN
B2
2
udvariasság
A2
tisztesség
B2
Usage pattern:
have the decency to [verb]
He didn't even have the decency to say thank you.
Még annyi udvariasság sem volt benne, hogy megköszönje.
You could at least have the decency to call if you're going to be late.
Legalább annyi udvariasság lehetne benned, hogy telefonálsz, ha késni fogsz.
She had the decency to admit that she was wrong.
Is it really so hard to show a little decency and hold the door open?
They left without the decency to clean up after themselves.
Learner examples
He did not have the decency to say sorry.
Nem volt benne annyi udvariasság, hogy bocsánatot kérjen.
Please have the decency to call if you cannot come.
Kérlek, légy annyira udvarias, hogy szólsz telefonon, ha nem tudsz eljönni.
She showed decency and helped the old man.
They did not show any decency to their guests.
He finally had the decency to tell the truth.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to say *"do a decency"* or *"make a decency"; in this sense, the natural pattern is "have the decency to [do something]" or "show some decency".
Meaning
expected politeness or consideration
Collocations
have the decency to
|at least have the decency
|the decency to apologize
|the decency to call
|common decency
|show some decency
Synonyms
courtesy (Highlights polite behaviour and good manners, sometimes slightly more formal.)
|
consideration (Focuses on thinking about other people's feelings and needs.)
Antonyms
rudeness (Lack of politeness or respect where it is expected.)
|
insensitivity (Failure to care about or notice other people's feelings.)
Themes
relationships
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The normal polite way you should treat other people in a situation.
The level of politeness or consideration for others that people normally expect in a situation.
NOUN
C1
3
közszemérem
C1
közerkölcs
C1
Usage pattern:
rules of public decency
The advertisement was banned for offending public decency.
A reklámot betiltották, mert sértette a közszemérmet.
Some people argued that the performance violated standards of decency.
Egyesek azzal érveltek, hogy az előadás megsértette a közerkölcs normáit.
He was charged with acts contrary to public decency.
Local groups complained that the magazine cover was an attack on common decency.
The film pushes the limits of decency with its explicit scenes.
Learner examples
The court said the show broke rules of public decency.
A bíróság szerint a műsor megsértette a közszemérem szabályait.
Some people think the photo is against decency.
Egyesek szerint a fotó sérti a közszemérmet.
The law protects public decency in this country.
They said the song was not good for decency on TV.
The poster was removed because it was against decency rules.
Meaning
rules about nudity and sex
Collocations
public decency
|offend against decency
|standards of decency
|laws of decency
|gross indecency
|community decency standards
Synonyms
modesty (Focuses more on personally not showing much of the body or not talking openly about sex.)
|
propriety (Formal; refers to correct behaviour according to social and moral rules, including sexual ones.)
Antonyms
obscenity (Refers to language, images, or acts that are sexually offensive or shocking.)
|
lewdness (Strong negative word for openly sexual or dirty behaviour.)
Themes
law
|society
|culture
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Social rules about not showing too much of the body or sexual things in public.
Standards of modesty and sexual behaviour, especially those that restrict public nudity or sexual display.
NOUN
C1
4
Usage pattern:
the basic decencies of [life]
Many people in the city still lack the basic decencies of life.
A városban még mindig sokan nélkülözik az emberhez méltó élet alapvető feltételeit.
They fought for wages that would allow workers to live in decency.
Olyan bérekért küzdöttek, amelyek lehetővé tennék, hogy a munkások emberhez méltó körülmények között éljenek.
Every child deserves to grow up in decency and safety.
The report asks whether the elderly can live out their final years with some degree of decency.
He believes that a rich society has a duty to guarantee a minimum of decency for everyone.
Learner examples
They do not have the basic decencies of life, like clean water.
Nincsenek meg náluk az emberhez méltó élet alapvető feltételei, például a tiszta víz.
The new job lets her live in decency.
Az új munkája lehetővé teszi számára, hogy emberhez méltó körülmények között éljen.
Every family should live with decency and safety.
The group works to give old people more decency in their lives.
He wants a world where all people can live in decency.
Meaning
basic decent living conditions
Collocations
the decencies of life
|basic decencies
|live in decency
|a life of decency
|minimum decency
|social decency
Synonyms
dignity (Emphasizes having self-respect and being treated with respect, not just material comfort.)
|
basic necessities (Focuses mainly on concrete things like food, water, and shelter.)
Antonyms
deprivation (Lacking the basic things needed for a comfortable or safe life.)
|
squalor (Very dirty and unpleasant living conditions, the opposite of decency in living standards.)
Themes
society
|economy
|human_rights
|daily_life
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A way of living that is not poor or cruel, with enough food, a home, and basic comfort.
Conditions of life that are considered acceptable and dignified, such as having enough food, shelter, and safety.
Grammar
Dictionary form
decency
IPA
GB/dˈisənsi/
US/dˈisənsi/
Syllables & stress
de - cency (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (de)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: decency
- Plural: decency
Word family
Core family
decent
adjective B1
decently
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
indecency
noun
indecent
adjective
indecently
adverb
Expressions
a sense of decency
1/ə sˈɛns əv dˈisənsi/
fixed phrase
personal feeling of what is decent
a personal feeling that you must act in a good and fair way
Examples
- His sense of decency stopped him from taking advantage of the situation.
- If they had any sense of decency, they would resign.
- Her strong sense of decency makes her very trusted at work.
basic human decency
1/bˈeɪsɪk hjˈumən dˈisənsi/
fixed phrase
minimum moral standard for humans
the very simple right way to treat any person, just because they are human
Examples
- They were denied even the most basic human decency in prison.
- She asked for nothing more than basic human decency and respect.
- Treating refugees with basic human decency should not be controversial.
common decency
1/kˈɑmən dˈisənsi/
fixed phrase
basic standard of behaviour
the simple and basic way of behaving that most people agree is right and fair
Examples
- Out of common decency, you should let them know your decision.
- He showed no common decency when he shouted at the waiter.
- A little common decency would make the office a nicer place.
have the decency to
1/hˈæv ðə dˈisənsi tə/
fixed phrase
show minimum politeness by acting
to do something polite or right that people expect you to do in a situation
Examples
- You could at least have the decency to answer my messages.
- He didn't have the decency to tell her he was leaving.
- She finally had the decency to apologize for her comments.
public decency
1/pˈʌblɪk dˈisənsi/
fixed phrase
rules on public nudity and sex
social and legal rules about what you can show or do with your body in public
Examples
- The protest raised questions about where to draw the line on public decency.
- He was fined for an offence against public decency.
- The city introduced new rules to protect public decency on the beach.
the decencies of life
1/ðə dɪsənsˈiz əv lˈaɪf/
fixed phrase
formal
basic things for a decent life
the basic things people need to live in a normal, clean, and safe way
Examples
- Many families in the area still lack the decencies of life.
- The charity works to provide the decencies of life for homeless people.
- No one should be denied the decencies of life in a rich country.