HSK · Level 31
135 words
Chinese word
文雅
Pronunciation
Pinyinwén yǎ
Meaning
- adjectiveelegant
Example
她的举止非常文雅。tā de jú zhǐ fēi cháng wén yǎ
Her manner is very elegant.
More examples
她穿着很文雅，吸引了大家的目光。tā chuān zhe hěn wén yǎ xī yǐn le dà jiā de mù guāng
She was dressed very elegantly, attracting everyone's attention.
Core concept
A polished way of presenting oneself or one's work, marked by calm manners and a sense of cultural taste rather than showiness.
Common phrases
举止文雅jú zhǐ wén yǎ
elegant manners
穿着文雅chuān zhe wén yǎ
elegant attire
文雅的言谈wén yǎ de yán tán
elegant speech
Similar words
优雅yōu yǎ: Graceful, poised, and pleasing in movements, speech, or appearance.
高雅gāo yǎ: Cultivated and sophisticated in taste, behavior, or artistic style.
端庄duān zhuāng: Calm, proper, and dignified in bearing and appearance.
温文尔雅wēn wén ér yǎ: Gentle, courteous, and refined in speech and manner.
Definition in Chinese
举止、言行或风格显得有礼貌、修养和端庄，给人优雅、上品的感觉。jú zhǐ yán xíng huò fēng gé xiǎn de yǒu lǐ mào xiū yǎng hé duān zhuāng gěi rén yōu yǎ shàng pǐn de gǎn jué
Word origin
文 (wén, "writing and culture") suggests cultivated expression, while 雅 (yǎ, "graceful and proper") adds a quality of correctness and dignity, making the compound describe refined outward style.
Usage tips
- English speakers may connect "cultured" mainly with knowledge of art, but this word also evaluates the calm courtesy visible in someone's speech, behavior, or style.
Other meanings
- refinedadjective
- culturedadjective
Opposites
- 粗俗cū súvulgaradjective
- 低俗dī súlowbrowadjective