裊 (niǎo) - Slender and delicate & graceful

裊Tone 3

niǎo ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

念柠

裊 · niǎo

Slender and delicate;

graceful;

curling upward (as smoke);

wavering gently (as willows).

Slender and delicategracefulcurling upward (as smoke)

Usage highlights

Curling smokeGraceful and slenderSwaying gentlyLingering soundGraceful figureRising mist

Synonyms

  • 婷— graceful, delicate
  • 娜— elegant, graceful
  • 纤— slender, delicate

Antonyms

  • 粗— coarse, rough
  • 壮— sturdy, robust
  • 笨— clumsy, awkward

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The smoke curls upward (炊烟袅袅).
  • The willow branches sway gently (垂柳袅袅).
  • She walked with a graceful gait (袅袅婷婷).
  • The sound of the flute lingered in the air (余音袅袅).

Collocations

  • Curling smoke(袅袅炊烟)
  • Graceful and slender(袅袅婷婷)
  • Swaying gently(袅袅摆动)
  • Lingering sound(余音袅袅)
  • Graceful figure(袅娜身姿)
  • Rising mist(袅袅雾气)

Idioms

  • Smoke curling upward(炊烟袅袅)
  • Graceful and delicate(袅袅婷婷)
  • Lingering sound(余音袅袅)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical Chinese poetry to depict delicate, graceful movements or forms.
  • Commonly associated with natural phenomena like rising smoke, swaying willows, or lingering sounds.
  • Evokes a sense of elegance, refinement, and subtle beauty in Chinese aesthetic tradition.

FAQ