refined and courteous; urbane; polished
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesadjective
refined and cultured; possessing both literary grace and substance; (originally) cultured and simple, (now) courteous and urbane
formalOriginally from the Analects (论语), describing the ideal Confucian gentleman (君子) who balances inner substance (质) with outer refinement (文). In modern usage, it emphasizes polite, cultured behavior and genteel manners. Often used as a compliment.
Zhè这
wèi位
xué学
zhě者
kàn看
qǐ起
lái来
wén文
zhì质
bīn彬
bīn彬
，
tán谈
tǔ吐
bù不
fán凡
。
This scholar appears refined and cultured, with extraordinary eloquence.
Bié别
kàn看
tā他
wén文
zhì质
bīn彬
bīn彬
de的
yàng样
zi子
，
qí其
shí实
yùn运
dòng动
néng能
lì力
yě也
hěn很
qiáng强
。
Don't let his refined and gentle appearance fool you—he's actually very athletic.
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Wén文
zhì质
bīn彬
bīn彬
，
rán然
hòu后
jūn君
zǐ子
。
When culture and substance are in harmonious balance, then one is a gentleman.