袅 (niǎo) - Slender and delicate & graceful

袅Tone 3

niǎo ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

念柠

袅 · niǎo

Slender and delicate;

graceful;

curling upward (as smoke);

fluttering gently (as ribbons or light fabric).

Slender and delicategracefulcurling upward (as smoke)

Usage highlights

Curling smokeGraceful figureRising mistFluttering ribbonsGentle breezeElegant dance

Synonyms

  • 婀娜— graceful, elegant (of posture)
  • 轻盈— light, graceful
  • 纤柔— slender and soft

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The smoke curled upward (炊烟袅袅).
  • Her slender figure was very graceful (体态袅娜).
  • The morning mist was rising gently (晨雾袅袅).
  • The dancer's movements were light and graceful (舞姿袅袅).

Collocations

  • Curling smoke(袅袅炊烟)
  • Graceful figure(袅娜身姿)
  • Rising mist(袅袅雾气)
  • Fluttering ribbons(袅袅飘带)
  • Gentle breeze(袅袅微风)
  • Elegant dance(袅袅舞姿)

Idioms

  • Smoke curling upward continuously(袅袅炊烟)
  • Graceful and delicate appearance(袅袅婷婷)
  • Rising mist and lingering clouds(袅袅烟云)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical Chinese poetry to describe delicate, gentle movements or appearances.
  • Frequently associated with feminine beauty and elegance in traditional descriptions.
  • Commonly used to depict natural phenomena like rising smoke, mist, or light fabric moving in breeze.

FAQ