Chinese word

成色

Pronunciation

Pinyinchéng sè

Meaning

  • nounappearance

Example

这辆二手车的成色看起来不错。zhè liàng èr shǒu chē de chéng sè kàn qǐ lái bú cuò

This used car looks good.

Illustration for 成色 (appearance)

More examples

买车前先看清二手车的成色，别只看价格。mǎi chē qián xiān kàn qīng èr shǒu chē de chéng sè bié zhǐ kàn jià gé

Before you buy a car, look carefully at the used car's condition, not just its price.

Core concept

The outward state that shows how new, well-kept, or pure an object is.

Common phrases

  • 成色很好chéng sè hěn hǎo

    excellent condition

  • 二手车的成色èr shǒu chē de chéng sè

    condition of a secondhand car

  • 成色很新chéng sè hěn xīn

    looks very new

Similar words

外观wài guān: The visible outer look and shape of an object.
状态zhuàng tài: The current condition of a person or thing, including how well it is working.
新旧xīn jiù: The degree to which an object is new or old.

Definition in Chinese

表示物品的外观好坏，尤其用于指旧货的新旧程度或贵金属的成色（纯度与光泽）。biǎo shì wù pǐn de wài guān hǎo huài yóu qí yòng yú zhǐ jiù huò de xīn jiù chéng dù huò guì jīn shǔ de chéng sè chún dù yǔ guāng zé

Word origin

The compound 成色 (chéngsè, "appearance and quality") grew from judging precious metals by their visible color and luster to judging how well used objects have been preserved.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this word gives a compact overall assessment of a used item, while separate checks are still needed for hidden damage or function.

Other meanings

  • conditionnoun
  • qualitynoun

Opposites

  • 破烂货pò làn huòjunk goodsnoun
  • 劣质品liè zhì pǐnshoddy productnoun

Word lists with this word