粋 (cuì) - Essence, quintessence & refined, pure

粋Tone 4

cuì ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

粋 · cuì

Essence, quintessence;

refined, pure;

stylish, chic;

the best part of something.

Essence, quintessencerefined, purestylish, chic

Usage highlights

Refined tasteStylish gestureEssence of beautyPure heartChic fashionQuintessence of art

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 粗悪— coarse, inferior quality
  • 俗— vulgar, common

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The essence of Japanese aesthetics(日本美の粋)
  • She has a refined taste(彼女は粋な趣味を持っている)
  • This is the quintessence of French cuisine(フランス料理の粋)
  • He made a stylish gesture(粋な計らい)

Collocations

  • Refined taste(粋な趣味)
  • Stylish gesture(粋な計らい)
  • Essence of beauty(美の粋)
  • Pure heart(心の粋)
  • Chic fashion(粋な装い)
  • Quintessence of art(芸術の粋)

Idioms

  • The cream of the crop(選りすぐりの粋)
  • The essence of elegance(優雅の粋)
  • Pure and unadulterated(純粋無垢)
  • The height of sophistication(粋の極み)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Japanese culture, 粋 (iki) represents a specific aesthetic ideal of refined, understated elegance
  • The character combines 'rice' (米) and 'nine' (九), suggesting the process of refining or selecting the best
  • Used extensively in Japanese arts and aesthetics to denote sophisticated taste and style

FAQ