娴 (xián) - Elegant, refined & accomplished

娴Tone 2

xián ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

娴 · xián

Elegant, refined;

accomplished;

skilled;

composed and graceful, especially describing a woman's demeanor.

Elegant, refinedaccomplishedskilled

Usage highlights

Elegant and refinedSkilled and proficientCalm and gracefulElegant demeanorWellGraceful and virtuous

Synonyms

  • 雅— elegant, refined
  • 淑— virtuous, kind
  • 婉— graceful, gentle

Antonyms

  • 粗— coarse, rough
  • 俗— vulgar, common

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She has an elegant and refined manner (娴雅).
  • The dancer's movements were graceful and skilled (娴熟).
  • She is well-versed in classical literature (娴于辞令).
  • Her demeanor is calm and graceful (娴静).

Collocations

  • Elegant and refined(娴雅)
  • Skilled and proficient(娴熟)
  • Calm and graceful(娴静)
  • Elegant demeanor(娴婉)
  • Well-versed in(娴于)
  • Graceful and virtuous(娴淑)

Idioms

  • Elegant and dignified(娴雅大方)
  • Skilled and experienced(娴熟老练)
  • Calm and composed(娴静端庄)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Traditionally used to describe cultivated feminine virtues in Confucian culture.
  • Often appears in classical literature describing accomplished women of noble families.
  • Represents the ideal of inner cultivation and outward grace in traditional Chinese aesthetics.

FAQ