(xián) - Elegant, refined, gentle & skilled, proficient

Tone 2

xián | 15 strokes | radical:

· xián

Elegant, refined, gentle;

skilled, proficient;

composed, unhurried.

Elegant, refined, gentleskilled, proficientcomposed, unhurried.

Usage highlights

Elegant and refinedSkilled and proficientGentle and quietElegant demeanorSkilled in the artsComposed and unhurried

Synonyms

  • elegant, refined
  • virtuous, kind
  • quiet, calm

Antonyms

  • coarse, rough
  • vulgar, common
  • impatient, restless

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She has an elegant demeanor (娴雅).
  • He is skilled in martial arts (娴于武艺).
  • She answered with composure (娴静地回答).
  • The dancer moved gracefully (娴熟地舞动).

Collocations

  • Elegant and refined(娴雅)
  • Skilled and proficient(娴熟)
  • Gentle and quiet(娴静)
  • Elegant demeanor(娴仪)
  • Skilled in the arts(娴于艺)
  • Composed and unhurried(娴婉)

Idioms

  • Elegant and refined, gentle and virtuous(娴雅淑德)
  • Skilled and proficient, mastering with ease(娴熟自如)
  • Gentle and quiet, graceful and dignified(娴静端庄)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Traditionally associated with idealized feminine virtues in Confucian culture, particularly grace, refinement, and inner cultivation.
  • Often used in classical literature to describe women of noble character and cultivated talents.
  • Represents an aesthetic ideal of effortless mastery and composed elegance.

FAQ