Chinese word

质朴

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhì pǔ

Meaning

  • adjectiveplain

Example

他的穿着很质朴。tā de chuān zhe hěn zhì pǔ

His clothes are very plain.

Illustration for 质朴 (plain)

More examples

老人的言谈很质朴，让人觉得可信。lǎo rén de yán tán hěn zhì pǔ ràng rén jué de kě xìn

The old man's speech is very simple, so people find him trustworthy.

Core concept

A straightforward, natural quality in which a person's true character appears without show or pretense.

Common phrases

  • 质朴的风格zhì pǔ de fēng gé

    simple style

  • 质朴的生活zhì pǔ de shēng huó

    modest lifestyle

  • 质朴的性格zhì pǔ de xìng gé

    unpretentious character

Similar words

朴素pǔ sù: Simple and modest in appearance, with little decoration and no showiness.
朴实pǔ shí: Straightforward and honest in speech, conduct, or character, making a person seem dependable.
简朴jiǎn pǔ: Simple and economical in daily life or in the way things are made, with little waste.
纯朴chún pǔ: Sincere and pure-hearted, with a straightforward character free of affectation.

Definition in Chinese

言行自然、不做作，言语或态度诚恳，令人信赖。yán xíng zì rán bú zuò zuò yán yǔ huò tài dù chéng kěn lìng rén xìn lài

Word origin

质朴 (zhìpǔ, "natural and unadorned") joins 质 (zhì, "true nature") with 朴 (pǔ, "plain simplicity") to describe sincerity without show.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may associate a simple appearance with weakness or low status, while this Chinese adjective often expresses respect for sincerity and an absence of pretension.

Other meanings

  • simple-heartedadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word