How do you use 铁面无私 in a sentence?
Even after learning that the accused official was his own nephew, Bao Zheng remained completely impartial and ordered the case to be judged by the evidence.
即使得知被告官员是自己的侄子，包拯仍然铁面无私，下令按照证据审理此案。
Our coach is completely impartial; whether you are the captain or a new player, you must follow the same team rules.
我们的教练铁面无私，不管你是队长还是新队员，都必须遵守同样的队规。
The librarian was completely impartial and charged the same late fee to every student, including her best friend's daughter.
图书管理员铁面无私，对每个学生都收取同样的逾期罚款，连她好朋友的女儿也不例外。
When does it fit — and when doesn't it?
✓ Fits
When the investigation showed that his relative had altered the account book, the judge was completely impartial and punished him according to the law.
调查显示他的亲属篡改了账册后，法官铁面无私，依法惩处了他。
✗ Doesn't fit
Because the teacher spoke with a serious face and rarely smiled, the students said she was completely impartial.
因为老师总是板着脸、很少微笑，学生们就说她铁面无私。
Why?
The idiom describes fairness without favoritism in making judgments, not simply looking stern or unfriendly.
这个成语强调的是判断公正、不徇私情，不是指脸色严肃或不爱笑。
Common mistake
Using the idiom to mean cold-hearted, emotionless, or harsh in personality.
把这个成语误用成“冷酷无情”“没有感情”或“性格严厉”。
Correction
Use it for a person who applies the same standard fairly, especially in judging, enforcing rules, or handling disputes.
这个成语应当用来形容一个人在判断、执法或处理纠纷时坚持同一标准，公正无私。
Why does this error happen?
The words 'iron-faced' can sound like someone is emotionally cold, so learners may confuse strict fairness with lack of feeling.
What do exams test about this idiom?
PSLE and HSK often test whether students can identify that 铁面无私 praises fair judgment without favoritism, especially when personal relationships, status, or money are involved.
小测验 · Quick Quiz
Test your understanding
1. What does 铁面无私 mean?
铁面无私是什么意思？
Being completely impartial and applying the same fair standard without favoritism
办事公正严明，不因私情而偏袒任何人
Looking stern and never smiling, even when other people are happy
表情严肃，从来不笑，即使别人很开心也一样
Punishing people harshly because you do not care about their feelings
因为不在乎别人的感受，所以严厉惩罚别人
2. What did Bao Zheng do after the evidence showed that Bao Mian had ignored witnesses and taken the merchant's payment?
证据显示包勉不听证人、收了商人的钱以后，包拯做了什么？
He overturned Liu Erguang's conviction, ordered his release, and punished Bao Mian under the same law.
他改判刘二光无罪，命人放他回家，并按同一条法律处罚包勉。
He asked Bao Mian to correct the case quietly so the family name would be protected.
他让包勉私下改正案子，好保住家族的名声。
He delayed the case until the senior minister could decide what punishment was safest.
他把案子拖延下来，等那位大臣决定怎样处罚最稳妥。
3. Which sentence uses 铁面无私 correctly?
哪个句子正确地使用了铁面无私？
The judge was 铁面无私 and gave his own relative the same punishment any corrupt official would receive.
这位法官铁面无私，给自己的亲属和其他贪官一样的处罚。
The teacher was 铁面无私 because she had a serious face and almost never smiled in class.
老师铁面无私，因为她上课时表情严肃，几乎从来不笑。
The captain was 铁面无私 because he was angry and refused to listen to anyone's explanation.
队长铁面无私，因为他很生气，拒绝听任何人的解释。
Answers: 1A · 2A · 3A