BEAUTIFUL    美麗美

EXCELLENT in APPEARANCE.
PLEASANTATTRACTIVEPRETTYHANDSOMEGOOD-LOOKINGALLURINGPREPOSSESSINGLOVELYCHARMINGDELIGHTFULAPPEALINGENGAGINGWINSOMERAVISHINGGORGEOUSSTUNNINGARRESTINGGLAMOROUSBEWITCHINGBEGUILINGGRACEFULELEGANTEXQUISITEAESTHETICARTISTICDECORATIVEMAGNIFICENTDIVINEDROP-DEAD GORGEOUSEASY ON THE EYEKILLERCUTEFOXYBEAUTEOUSCOMELYFAIR
Old Chinese Criteria
[ABSOLUTE/GRADED][ACOUSTIC/VISUAL][ARTIFICIAL/NATURAL][[COMMON/RARE]][ELEVATED/VULGAR][GENERAL/SPECIFIC][HUMAN/NON-HUMAN][POETIC/PROSAIC]1. The general word is měi 美 "handsome and admirable" (ant. è 惡 "ugly") which refers to anything concrete or abstract which is attractive or handsome in a dignified way, and the word often retains its primary culinary sense of "tasty".[GENERAL], [GRADED]; [[COMMON]]2. Lì 麗 (ant. sù 素 "unaodorned") is often restricted to physical objects, prototypically to clothes, and emphasises their balanced symmetric beauty, occasionally also - by analogy - the well-aligned symmetric beauty of mountains.[ELEVATED], [NON-HUMAN], [VISUAL!]3. Wén 文 (ant. zhì 質 "merely material") emphasises cultivated external as well as internal elegance as well as traditionalism.[ARTIFICIAL], [ELEVATED], [NON-HUMAN], [VISUAL!]4. Yǎ 雅 (ant. sú 俗 "vulgar") emphasises primarily external elevated elegance.[ACOUSTIC!], [ARTIFICIAL], [ELEVATED+], [NON-HUMAN]5. Hǎo 好 "comely, handsome" (ant. chǒu 醜 "ugly") refers indiscriminately to men and women, but the word is sometimes more general and even abstract in application and refers to attractive words or attractive moral qualities.[HUMAN!], [NATURAL], [VISUAL]6. Xiù 秀 "of vigorous and imposing beauty" focusses on flourishing and flamboyant beauty in analogy with that of flowers.[ELEVATED], [NATURAL], [NON-HUMAN], [POETIC], [VISUAL]; [[RARE]]7. Huá 華 "of striking and colourful beauty" (ant. sú 俗 "vulgar") focusses on flourishing and flamboyant superficial or only apparent beauty, on the analogy analogy with that of flowers.[ARTIFICIAL], [ELEVATED], NON-HUMAN], [SUPERFICIAL], [VISUAL]8. Zhuàng 壯 "stately" (ant. ruò 弱 "weak and unsightly") is virile beauty associated with strength and vigour. See STRONG[NATURAL], [MARGINAL], [POETIC]; [[RARE]]9. Jiā 佳 "of outstanding beauty" (NB: liè 劣 "unremarkable" is the ant. of jiā 佳 "outstanding", and not in the meaning of "outstandingly beautiful") emphasises comparative beauty compared to others in the same group.[GRADED], [ELEVATED], [NATURAL], [POETIC]10. Dū 都 "urbane and exquisitely beautiful" (ant. bì 鄙 "rustic and inelegant") is a highly poetic word that can only be used in elevated prose.[ARCHAIC], [ELEVATED], [POETIC], [VISUAL]; [[RARE]]11. Yán 妍 "attractive and exquisite (of humans as well as human products)" (ant. chì 蚩 "unattractive") refers to elaborate beauty. See SEXY.[ARCHAIC], [ELEVATED], [HUMAN], [POETIC]; [[RARE]]12. Xiū 脩 / 修 "refined moral beauty" refers to moral as well as physical beauty, thus coming close the Greek kalokagathia, but never approaching the latter in importance as a cultural keyword.<div>[ELEVATED], [ARTIFICIAL]; [[RARE]]</div><div><br></div><div>吳蓬，東方審美詞彙集萃，上海文藝出版社，2002 lists the following rough definitions of a variety of terms of aesthetic appreciation by the artist and scholar Wu Peng. Many of these terms express conventional appreciative flattery only. This list does provide one not particularly well-known artist's subjective readings of some basic terms of traditional Chinese aesthetic approbation.</div><div>勃：富有生机之突起。<br>苍：浓的，毛的，老练的。<br>沉：沉着不浮，有重量感。<br>冲：调成和淡之意向。<br>饬：整顿。<br>粗：大而不笨者。<br>淳：清，往往易薄，然而淳是清中滋润之厚。<br>醇：与淳略同，这醇是提炼后的滋润之厚。<br>绰：与"约"字合用，即舒而不纵之意。<br>澹：平静而有幽淡之趣。<br>淡：与浓艳相对。<br>宕：放荡不拘。<br>跌：往往与"宕"字合用，即是起伏明显之状。<br>端：方正而不出偏，有稳实感。<br>敦：很实在的，结实的厚。<br>繁：众而密，有生气。<br>方：与平正同义。<br>丰：饱满而充足。<br>风：审美中之"风"指的是一种气韵格调。<br>飞：大幅度的流动。<br>刚：属于阳性的，有正力的，与柔软相对。</div><div>高：俯视一切的、超然得不一般。<br>工：规矩，不潦草。<br>孤：自我独立。<br>古：旧气，更有历史的抗怀千载之迹象。<br>骨：内在的架子。<br>犷：是跟"雄悍"接近，在粗中发展开来。<br>瑰：不单调的美。<br>乖：不和顺。<br>憨：近于拙朴而敦实。<br>酣：厚润四溢。<br>豪：激动向上之貌，有气魄。<br>宏：大而有气度。<br>厚：有沉积的饱和。<br>华：明亮而艳丽。<br>环：长久圆融之境。<br>荒：与"枯简"接近，不修饰。<br>豁：与开朗接近，然比开朗明显。<br>恢：宽广有余。<br>浑：团然一气之象，有朦胧感。<br>简：经过一番整修的减少。<br>娇：美得可爱。<br>警：审美中用此警字，往往指敏锐、颖达。<br></div><div>劲：能察觉的力。<br>精：很到位。<br>隽：精致而具内涵之美。<br>娟：秀而婉丽。<br>崛：高起而突出。<br>俊：人材杰曲之美。<br>峻：山高而陡。在书画中是浓而锋利之用笔。<br>空：有灵气之空白。<br>枯：干而毛，生的萎缩，然亦是力的显露。<br>宽：大度而畅朗。<br>旷：广阔而空灵。<br>辣：是枯毛爽直的老笔触。<br>朗：明亮而豁然。<br>琅：圆而光润。<br>伦：是同类之意，带有文明意念。<br>冷：跟"淡"与"静”接近，与浓烈相对。<br>炼：精到而有功力。<br>淋：与"漓”往往合用，是无拘束的洒落。<br>流：明显的动感。<br>迈：阔而放的超势。<br>莽：宽广而繁密的，朴直奔放的。<br>袤：与"古"字合用，即悠长久远之趣。<br>茂：有生气的繁密。<br>媚：柔美之趣。<br>宓：安而静。<br>明：清晰有亮度。<br>凝：浓重而不流动。<br>懦：毫无火气之柔软。<br>平：一般的，接近于稳。<br>朴：原始状态，形象较准。<br>嫖：与"姚"字合用，即动疾之状，而有气势。<br>奇：不一般。<br>气：生发的，迎面直扑而来的感觉。<br>清：是混的相对。其间透出一股朗气。<br>峭：山之直而险，在书画中是露锋的侧锋用笔，有明显露<br>尖状态。文章中之峭，是意气直逼。<br>遒：婉转有致，内力强劲。<br>虬：与遒类似，但动感较强，弯曲而有力度。<br>意：诚实谨慎。<br>儒：代表文人之书卷气。<br>洒：散落无拘束。<br>赡：富有与丰实。若与"疏”、"逸”组合即成"澹”或"安"之义。</div><div>骚：审美中之骚字，可引伸为风骚至风流感。<br>韶：美丽有光泽。<br>涩：在不爽快的进程中，流露出内力之美。<br>深：不是浮面的。<br>神：精与气合。高端的。<br>生：不成熟，但比成熟有味。<br>肆：任意放纵。<br>松：松是灵活自然，是一切技巧之本要。<br>瘦：与粗笨相对，在审美中的"瘦"，是指细长而精练。<br>疏：一种稀少秀朗之美。<br>肃：有立即静穆下来之势。<br>率：与潦草随便有别，爽快而直接。<br>邃：深远而悠久。<br>阅：通达之意。<br>给：与"宕"合用，是安详舒放之趣。<br>天:很自然，一片天箱之"天"。<br>恬：安静而坦然。<br>挺：直而有生气。<br>婉：柔和而曲折。<br>温：是一种暖调与缓和的综合。</div><div>巍：往往与"峨"合用，是高大厚实之趣。<br>洗：与"炼”合用，即是"精炼"之意，凡物之洁出于洗。<br>犀：与"利"字合用，即坚利。<br>熙：光明，和乐。<br>细：指细而不纤。<br>娴：文静而雅致。<br>闲：一种高雅的自由。<br>萧：疏少有致。<br>潇：散朗而润泽。<br>馨：很醇厚的香气。<br>篁："篁古”是悠远辽阔之意。<br>雄：强大，有力度，有霸气。<br>秀：灵巧的，有生气的，美好的显露。<br>虚：表象空，但并非真空。<br>雅：文气而不俗。<br>妍：鲜美而柔性。<br>严：认真，不马虎。<br>淹：一种浸沉与精深明达之境。<br>野：超脱、不规范。<br>冶：经过一番精致修饰。<br>逸：悠闲的起伏。</div><div>意：精神倾向。<br>莹：透明而幽亮。<br>雍：往往与“容"字合用，有和顺之貌。<br>幽：静而深。<br>腴：肥润而饱和。<br>郁：厚积而有生气。<br>纤：与"迥"字合用，即弯环回绕之趣。<br>遹：与"瑰"字合用，即纤迥美丽之趣。<br>渊：往往与"懿"合用，是深润而悠美之趣。<br>圆：接近于饱满润滑。<br>蕴：与"藉"合用，即内涵丰富。<br>韵：一种余味不尽之趣。<br>恣：放纵的，无拘束的。<br>滋：湿润感。<br>自：出于本性的流露。<br>质：本体的，实在的。<br>纵：放逸无拘之状。<br>拙：接近朴，形不准。<br>庄：端正之貌。<br>卓：与“荤"合用，是突出明显之状。<br></div><div><br></div><br>
Modern Chinese Criteria
美麗 漂亮 美貌 美顏 好看 受看 中看 入眼 順眼 悅目 美觀 華美 雅致 雅觀 文雅 清雅 淡雅 雅淡 古雅 優美 美妙 美 麗 猗猗 菲菲 俊 帥 優美 rough draft to BEGIN TO identify synonym group members for analysis, based on CL etc. 18.11.2003. CH ／
Hyponym
  • EMBELLISH　CAUSE-TO BECOME MORE BEAUTIFUL. (anc: 6/0, child: 1)
  • SEXY　BEAUTIFUL so as to CAUSE OTHERS TO TEND to DESIRE to COPULATE WITH ONE. (anc: 6/0, child: 0)
  • KITSCH　SENTIMENTALLY BEAUTIFUL AND VULGAR. (anc: 6/0, child: 0)
  • CHARISMA　BEAUTY OF MIND AND FEELING. (anc: 6/0, child: 0)
Antonym
  • UGLYBAD in APPEARANCE when SEEN.
  • VULGARORDINARY AND NOT ELEGANT BECAUSE COMMON to EXCESSIVELY MANY.
See also
  • STRONGABLE to ACHIEVE DIFFICULT TASKS of the BODY OR to the MIND.
Hypernym
  • EXCELLENT　FEATURE BECAUSE of which SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IS OR SHOULD BE PREFERRED to OTHERS (anc: 4/0, child: 11)
  • FEATURE　ABSTRACT OBJECT a THING is SAID to BE OR to HAVE. (anc: 3/0, child: 19)
  • OBJECT　[NO HYPERNYM.] WHAT one CAN NAME:refer to. (anc: 2/0, child: 6)
  • A Dictionary of Selected Synonyms in the Principal Indo-European Languages ( BUCK 1988) p. 16.81

  • Vocabulaire européen des philosophies. Dictionnaire des intraduisibles ( CASSIN 2004) p. 160

  • De differentiis ( DIFFERENTIAE I) p. 359

    DECENS, SPECIOSUS

    161. C. Fronto: Decens in gestu est, et motu corporis, speciosus; male legitur: formosus ab excellenti specie dicitur, forma naturae bonum, unde etiam formosus dicitur.

    ]

    161. Inter Decentem et speciosum et formosum. Decens motu corporis probatur, speciosus specie, formosus, natura, sive forma.

  • Lateinische Synonyme und Etymologien ( DOEDERLEIN 1840) p.

    BEAUTIFUL

    formosus refers to beauty in so far as it excites pleasure and delight.

    pulcher refers to beauty in so far as it excites admiration, is imposing or satisfies taste by its perfectness.

    venustus refers to beauty in so far as it excites desire and captivates.

    formosus refers to beauty in so far as it is manifested in physical form and affects a natural (not necessarily elevated) sense of beauty.

    venustas transports and captivates through a high degree of attractiveness.

    gratia merely pleases and attracts by beauty.

    PLEASANT

    gratus refers to something that is welcome and acceptable to someone as precious, interesting or deserving of thanks.

    iucundus refers to something that is welcome and acceptable because it gives delight.

    gratiosus refers to something that seeks favour or popularity.

  • Traite elementaire des synonymes grecques ( DUFOUR 1910) p. 16

  • “荀子”單音節形容詞同義關係研究 ( HUANG XIAODONG 2003) p. 285

  • Anthologia sive Florilegium rerum et materiarum selectarum ( LANGIUS 1631) p.

    FORMA/PULCHRITUDO

    PULCHRITUDO

  • Woerterbuch der Philosophie. Neue Beitraege zu einer Kritik der Sprache ( MAUTHNER WP 1924) p. III73

  • Lateinische Synonymik ( MENGE) p. 302

  • Dictionnaire culturel en langue francaise ( REY 2005) p. 1.842

  • Dictionnaire culturel en langue francaise ( REY 2005) p. 2.379

    ELEGANCE

  • Historisches Woerterbuch der Philosophie ( RITTER 1971-2007) p. 4.682

    KALOKAGATHIA

    SEE ALSO THE MANY ARTICLES RELATED TO SCHOENHEIT

  • Using Chinese Synonyms ( GRACE ZHANG 2010) p. 300

  • The Encyclopedia of Philosophy ( BORCHERT 2005) p. beauty

  • Encyclopedia of Religion ( JONES 2005) p.

  • Ästhetische Grundbegriffe ( BARCK 2010) p. 6.7.30

  • Ästhetische Grundbegriffe ( BARCK 2010) p. 5.390

  • Ästhetische Grundbegriffe ( BARCK 2010) p. 2.275

  • Ästhetische Grundbegriffe ( BARCK 2010) p. 1.193

  • Quiddities. An Intermittently Philosophical Dictionary ( QUINE 1987) p. 17

  • SYNONYMES FRANÇOIS, LEURS DIFFÉRENTES SIGNIFICATIONS, ET LE CHOIX QU'IL EN FAUT FAIRE Pour parler avec justesse ( GIRARD 1769) p. 2.85:61

    BEAU.JOLI

  • SYNONYMES FRANÇOIS, LEURS DIFFÉRENTES SIGNIFICATIONS, ET LE CHOIX QU'IL EN FAUT FAIRE Pour parler avec justesse ( GIRARD 1769) p. 1.11.12

    GRACIEUX.AGREABLE

  • SYNONYMES FRANÇOIS, LEURS DIFFÉRENTES SIGNIFICATIONS, ET LE CHOIX QU'IL EN FAUT FAIRE Pour parler avec justesse ( GIRARD 1769) p. 1.75.55

    GRACES.AGREMENTS; ATTRAITS.APPAS.CHARMES

  • SYNONYMES FRANÇOIS, LEURS DIFFÉRENTES SIGNIFICATIONS, ET LE CHOIX QU'IL EN FAUT FAIRE Pour parler avec justesse ( GIRARD 1769) p. 1.103.77

    BEAU.JOLI

  • SYNONYMES FRANÇOIS, LEURS DIFFÉRENTES SIGNIFICATIONS, ET LE CHOIX QU'IL EN FAUT FAIRE Pour parler avec justesse ( GIRARD 1769) p. 1.327.288

    RELEVE.SUBLIME

  • Handbook of Greek Synonymes, from the French of M. Alex. Pillon, Librarian of the Bibliothèque Royale , at Paris, and one of the editors of the new edition of Plaché's Dictionnaire Grec-Français, edited, with notes, by the Rev. Thomas Kerchever Arnold, M.A. Rector of Lyndon, and late fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge ( PILLON 1850) p. no.2278

  • 古漢語常用詞同義詞詞典 ( HONG CHENGYU 2009) p. 220

  • Divisiones quae vulgo dicuntur Aristoteleae ( DIVISIONES 1906) p. no. 11

  • 觀念的對比分析 ( YANG MINGTIAN 2009) p. 261

    KRASOTA

  • New Dictiornary of the History of Ideas, 6 vols. ( HOROWITZ 2005) p.

  • Bibliographisches Handbuch zur Sprachinhaltsforschung. Teil II. Systematischer Teil. B. Ordnung nach Sinnbezirken (mit einem alphabetischen Begriffsschluessel): Der Mensch und seine Welt im Spiegel der Sprachforschung ( FRANKE 1989) p. 51A

    • Words (98 items)

    美  měi OC: mriʔ MC: mi
    媄  měi OC: mriʔ MC: mi
    媺  měi OC: mrɯlʔ MC: mi 116 Attributions

    The general word is měi 美 "handsome and admirable" (ant. è 惡 "ugly") which refers to anything concrete or abstract which is attractive or handsome in a dignified way, and the word often retains its primary culinary sense of "tasty". [GENERAL], [GRADED]; [[COMMON]]

      Word relations
    • Ant: 惡/UGLY The current standard word for ugliness and despicability is è 惡 (ant. měi 美 "attractive")
    • Ant: 善/GOOD The general term for positive appraisal of any kind in Chinese is shàn 善 (ant. è 惡 "bad").
    • Epithet: 玉/JADE
    • Epithet: 道術/PHILOSOPHY
    • Contrast: 善/EXCELLENT Shàn 善 (ant. zhuó 拙 "inept"), when the word does not mean moral goodness, but is close in meaning to liáng 良, refers to an acquired specific skill or propensity for certain forms of action.
    • Contrast: 貴/NOBLE Guì 貴 (ant. jiàn 賤 "of low character") adds to the notion of high social status that of subjectively appreciated nobility of character. [HIGH-DEGREE], [PERSONAL], [SUBJECTIVE]
    • Assoc: 佞/ELOQUENT Nìng 佞 typically describes rhetorical skill as an unattractive negative attribute.
    • Assoc: 好/BEAUTIFUL Hǎo 好 "comely, handsome" (ant. chǒu 醜"ugly") refers indiscriminately to men and women, but the word is sometimes more general in application and refers more abstractly to attractive words or even moral qualities. [HUMAN!], [NATURAL], [VISUAL]
    • Oppos: 薄/UNIMPORTANT

      Syntactic words
    • nabapparentimpressive appearanceCH
    • nabfeaturephysical beauty; handsomeness; splendour; good looks
    • nabfiguratively aestheticabstract non-physical beauty
    • nabsensibilitysense of beautyCH
    • nabvisualbeauty
    • nsubject=nonrefwhat is beautiful> wonderful things, beautiful creatures 兩美
    • v[adN.]post-N2what is beautifulCH
    • v[adN]what is beautiful; wonderful thing, beautiful thing, splendid thing, admirable thing, wonderful thing
    • v[adN]beloved, derived meaning: beloved beautiful oneCH
    • v[adN]N=humanbeautiful woman
    • v[adN]subj=nonhumanbeautiful/attractive things
    • vadNbeautiful (of sounds)CH
    • vadNenticing, (sexually) attractive (of lovers or temptresses) (often used as standard epithet CH
    • vadNbeautiful, hence valuable and tempting (of gift objects that corrupt rulers)CH
    • vadNbeautiful and tempting (of gift objects that corrupt rulers)CH
    • vadNliterary: aesthetically pleasingCH
    • vadNabstractsplendid, brilliant (name etc)
    • vadNfigurativeattractive; welcome
    • vadNvisualbeautiful
    • vadVbeautifully; lavishly; wonderfully
    • vigeneral: be beautiful
    • viliterary: be aestetically pleasingCH
    • vi+prep+Nbeautiful with respect to
    • viacousticacoustically: pleasant to hear
    • vifigurativebe of non-material superior beauty
    • viodourspleasant
    • vivisualbe beautiful to look at (of inanimate objects)CH
    • vivisualbe physically beautifulCH
    • vt+prep+Nbe more beautiful than NLZ
    • vtoNcausativebeautify, make particularly beautiful
    • vtoNpassivebe made splendidLZ
    • vtoNputativeappreciate as attractive or handsome
    • vtt(oN1.)+N2gradedregard the contextually determinate N1 as more beautiful than N2
    好  hǎo OC: qhuuʔ MC: hɑu 36 Attributions

    Hǎo 好 "comely, handsome" (ant. chǒu 醜"ugly") refers indiscriminately to men and women, but the word is sometimes more general in application and refers more abstractly to attractive words or even moral qualities. [HUMAN!], [NATURAL], [VISUAL]

      Word relations
    • Ant: 醜/UGLY Chǒu 醜 (ant. hǎo 好 "handsome") refers specifically to physical unsightliness and does not necessarily connote a general negative judgment on what is unsightly.
    • Assoc: 佳/BEAUTIFUL Jiā 佳 "of outstanding beauty" (NB: liè 劣 "unremarkable" is the ant. of jiā 佳 "outstanding", and not in the meaning of "outstandingly beautiful") emphasises comparative beauty compared to others in the same group. [GRADED], [ELEVATED], [NATURAL], [POETIC]
    • Assoc: 佳/BEAUTIFUL Jiā 佳 "of outstanding beauty" (NB: liè 劣 "unremarkable" is the ant. of jiā 佳 "outstanding", and not in the meaning of "outstandingly beautiful") emphasises comparative beauty compared to others in the same group. [GRADED], [ELEVATED], [NATURAL], [POETIC]
    • Assoc: 善/EXCELLENT Shàn 善 (ant. zhuó 拙 "inept"), when the word does not mean moral goodness, but is close in meaning to liáng 良, refers to an acquired specific skill or propensity for certain forms of action.
    • Assoc: 姣 / 佼/SEXY Jiǎo 姣 (also applied to men) and jiāo 嬌 are less dramatic than yàn 艷 and refers to personal charm as well beauty as such.
    • Assoc: 美 / 媄 / 媺/BEAUTIFUL The general word is měi 美 "handsome and admirable" (ant. è 惡 "ugly") which refers to anything concrete or abstract which is attractive or handsome in a dignified way, and the word often retains its primary culinary sense of "tasty". [GENERAL], [GRADED]; [[COMMON]]

      Syntactic words
    • nabaestheticbeauty LY 室家之好
    • nabfeatureBUDDH: anuryanjana: beautiful excellencies
    • nsubject=pluralsplendid things, beautiful things
    • vadNcomely, handsome; splendid
    • vadNacousticbeautiful
    • vifigurativebe morally attractive
    • vigradedbe beautiful to look at, be attractive 甚好LIEXIANZHUAN 姿貌好而性良
    • vpostadVso that it becomes beautiful
    • vtoNmake beautifulTWH
    • vtoNputativeconsider as beautiful
    麗  lì OC: b-reels MC: lei 24 Attributions

    Lì 麗 (ant. sù 素 "unadorned) is often restricted to physical objects, prototypically to clothes, and emphasises their balanced symmetric beauty, occasionally also the well-aligned symmetric beauty of mountains. [ELEVATED], [NON-HUMAN]

      Word relations
    • Assoc: 壯/BEAUTIFUL Zhuàng 壯 "stately" (ant. ruò 弱 "weak and unsightly") is virile beauty associated with strength and vigour. See STRONG [NATURAL], [MARGINAL], [POETIC]; [[RARE]]
    • Assoc: 文/BEAUTIFUL Wén 文 (ant. zhì 質 "merely material") emphasises cultivated external as well as internal elegance as well as traditionalism. [ARTIFICIAL], [ELEVATED], [NON-HUMAN], [VISUAL!]

      Syntactic words
    • nabfeaturebalanced beauty; symmetric balance
    • v[adN]stately and beautiful things
    • vadNbeautiful; symmetrically balanced
    • vibe decorative, evenly patterned, beautifully patterned, symmetrically patterned; elegant and beautiful; be magnificent, be imposing (as the sound of a drum]
    • vtoNcausativecuase to be beautiful > embellish
    • vtoNputativeexperience as beautiful, find beautiful
    端正  duān zhèng OC: toon tjeŋs MC: tʷɑn tɕiɛŋ 23 Attributions

    • 唐五代語言詞典 Táng Wǔdài yǔyán cídiǎn A Dictionary of the Language of the Tang and Five Dynasties Periods ( JIANG/CAO 1997) p. 102

      Syntactic words
    • NPabphysical properness > dignified beauty
    • VPadNhandsome
    • VPiupright and proper (physical form) > be handsome, be beautiful; be in an excellent state (typically used in Buddhist sutras and in Tang vernacular literature such as HANSHAN; propably referring to symetrical and delicate features of the body)
    文  wén OC: mɯn MC: mi̯un 17 Attributions

    Wén 文 (ant. zhì 質 "merely material") emphasises cultivated external as well as internal elegance as well as traditionalism. [ARTIFICIAL], [ELEVATED], [NON-HUMAN], [VISUAL!]

      Word relations
    • Assoc: 麗/BEAUTIFUL Lì 麗 (ant. sù 素 "unadorned) is often restricted to physical objects, prototypically to clothes, and emphasises their balanced symmetric beauty, occasionally also the well-aligned symmetric beauty of mountains. [ELEVATED], [NON-HUMAN]

      Syntactic words
    • nabaestheticelevated aesthetic beauty; elegance; decorous patterning
    • nadNwell decorated, elegantly patterned; dignified; refined, embellished, patterned;
    • nsubjectwhat is beautifully patterned> products the polite arts; belles lettres
    • viactcultivate civilised elegance
    • vigradedbe elegant and civilised (in speech and/or behaviour), be polished so as to be in accordance with elegant standards 甚文
    雅  yǎ OC: ŋɡraaʔ MC: ŋɣɛ 15 Attributions

    Yǎ 雅 (ant. sú 俗 "vulgar") emphasises primarily external elevated elegance. [ARTIFICIAL], [ELEVATED+], [NON-HUMAN].

      Syntactic words
    • vadNdignified, elegant and handsome; elegant and comely
    • vadVin a dignified way, in the elegant proper style
    • vibe dignified, be elegant and handsome, be in the proper elegant style
    為美  wéi měi MC: hjweH mijX OC: ɢʷal mriʔ 11 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VPifigurativebe the most admirable; count as the most wonderfulCH
    • VPtoNputative, derivedconsider as the tastiest thing in the world; regard as the finest thing in the worldCH
    脩  xiū OC: sqlɯw MC: sɨu
    修  xiū OC: sqlɯw MC: sɨu 10 Attributions

    Xiū 脩/修"refined moral beauty" refers to moral as well as physical beauty, thus coming close the Greek kalokagathia, but never approaching the latter in importance as a cultural keyword. [ELEVATED], [ARTIFICIAL]; [[RARE]]

      Syntactic words
    • nabaestheticaesthetic refinement; aesthetically refined (moral) culture
    • v[adN]N=humanthe fair one CC
    • vadNfair, refined, cultivared, CC 修德 "refined, fair virtue"
    • vigradedbe refined and beautiful 甚修
    • vtoNcausativebeautify (oneself)
    華  huá OC: ɢʷraal MC: ɦɣɛ 8 Attributions

    Huá 華"of striking and colourful beauty" (ant. sú 俗 "vulgar") focusses on flourishing and flamboyant superficial or only apparent beauty, on the analogy analogy with that of flowers. [ARTIFICIAL], [ELEVATED], NON-HUMAN], [SUPERFICIAL]

      Word relations
    • Ant: 實/REALITY The current word referring to reality is shí 實 (ant. xū 虛 "pretended reality"), but the word acquired this meaning rather late (meaning "object" in earlier texts).
    • Contrast: 偽/FAKE Wěi 偽 (ant. zhēn 真) focusses on the artificiality rather than natural or proper provenance of the product.
    • Contrast: 榮/BLOSSOM Róng 榮 can refer in general terms to the flowers of shrubs and trees. [ELEVATED], [POETIC], [SPECIFIC]
    • Assoc: 精 / 菁/EXCELLENT Jīng 精 (of general application) (ant. cū 粗 "of only rough quality") and ruì 銳(typically applied to military prowess) (ant. dùn 鈍 "of lesser quality") refer to above-average performance without suggestion individual excellence.
    • Assoc: 浮/FRIVOLOUS Fú 浮 sometimes refers to the kind of flippancy or frivolousness that might call for criticism but is not viewed as entirely serious.
    • Oppos: 實/TRUE Shí 實 "real and true" (ant. xū 虛 "only apparently") refers to something not being a figment of the imagination. See REAL.

      Syntactic words
    • nabaestheticostentatious ornament; ostentatious beauty
    • vadNbeautifully patterned; beautifully adorned with flower patterns
    • vadNderivedliterary: rhetorically ostentatiousCH
    • vibe luxuriously beautiful, ostentatiously beautiful; be superficial and ostentatious
    美好  měi hǎo OC: mriʔ qhuuʔ MC: mi hɑu 7 Attributions

    Měi hǎo 美好 is intensitive, and relates to surface display even when it occasionally refers to abstract beauty.

      Syntactic words
    • NPabfigurativebeauty and excellence, points of excellence
    • NPab{N1=N2}stativethe state of being beautiful; beauty
    • VPiintensitivebe of exquisite beauty
    色  sè OC: sqrɯɡ MC: ʂɨk 6 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • nabfeaturebeautiful appearance
    • v[adN]beautiful women; female beautyCH
    濯  zhuó OC: rleewɡ MC: ɖɣɔk 6 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vadVin (glossy>) resplendent fashion
    • vibe glossy and fine, splendid; be brilliant and glossy
    • vi.redbe all glossy and beautiful
    • vi.redfigurativebe all splendid
    佳  jiā OC: kree MC: kɣɛ 5 Attributions

    Jiā 佳 "of outstanding beauty" (NB: liè 劣 "unremarkable" is the ant. of jiā 佳 "outstanding", and not in the meaning of "outstandingly beautiful") emphasises comparative beauty compared to others in the same group. [GRADED], [ELEVATED], [NATURAL], [POETIC]

      Word relations
    • Assoc: 好/BEAUTIFUL Hǎo 好 "comely, handsome" (ant. chǒu 醜"ugly") refers indiscriminately to men and women, but the word is sometimes more general in application and refers more abstractly to attractive words or even moral qualities. [HUMAN!], [NATURAL], [VISUAL]
    • Assoc: 好/BEAUTIFUL Hǎo 好 "comely, handsome" (ant. chǒu 醜"ugly") refers indiscriminately to men and women, but the word is sometimes more general in application and refers more abstractly to attractive words or even moral qualities. [HUMAN!], [NATURAL], [VISUAL]
    • Synon: 嫻 / 閑/SEXY

      Syntactic words
    • nsingularthe beautiful one (or: the excellent one??)
    • vadNbeautiful
    • vioutstanding, of excellent appearance
    姱  kuā OC: khʷraa MC: khɣɛ 5 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • nabaesthetic(spiritiual) beauty
    • nabconceptaestheticismCH
    • vibe of outward beauty
    • vifigurativebe inwardly and truly beautiful
    懿  yì OC: qriɡs MC: ʔi 5 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • v(ad)Nfigurativenon-restrictive modifier: superb
    • vadNfigurativebeautiful; resplendent' outstanding; admirable; superb
    • vi+N{SUBJ}inversion, emphaticoh, how beautiful is NDS
    都  dū OC: k-laa MC: tuo̝ 4 Attributions

    Dū 都 "urbane and exquisitely beautiful" (ant. bì 鄙 "rustic and inelegant") is a highly poetic word that can only be used in elevated prose. [ARCHAIC], [ELEVATED], [POETIC]; [[RARE]]

      Syntactic words
    • nabfeaturebeauty
    • v[adN]the fair one
    • vadNstately (courtyard)??
    • viurbanely beautiful; be beautiful in a refined way; stately, imposing
    美惡  měi è OC: mriʔ qaaɡ MC: mi ʔɑk 4 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • NPab.adNrelatively good-looking or bad-lookingLZ
    • NPab{nab1ant.nab2}relative beauty; beauty as opposed to ugliness
    佳麗  jiā lì OC: kree b-reels MC: kɣɛ lei 3 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • NPabfeatureequisite balanced beauty
    • VPibe of exquisite beauty
    妍  yán OC: ŋɡeen MC: ŋen 3 Attributions

    Yán 妍 "attractive and exquisite (of humans as well as human products)" (ant. chì 蚩 "unattractive") refers to elaborate beauty, often close to the modern "sexiness". See SEXY. [ARCHAIC], [ELEVATED], [HUMAN], [POETIC]; [[RARE]]

      Syntactic words
    • nabfeatureexquisite beauty
    • v[adN]the beautiful; what is beautifulCH
    • vadNFANGYAN: beautiful 妍好也
    妙  miào OC: mews MC: miɛu 3 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • NPabfeatureextraordinary beauty
    • VPiexquisit to look at
    媚  mèi OC: mrils MC: mi 3 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vadNalluring, attractive; favourite
    • viderivedhave something beautiful about oneCH
    • vtoNbe enamoured of the looks of someone
    • vtoNcausativegive charm to
    秀  xiù OC: slus MC: sɨu 3 Attributions

    Xiù 秀 "of vigorous and imposing beauty" focusses on flourishing and flamboyant beauty in analogy with that of flowers. [ELEVATED], [NATURAL], [NON-HUMAN], [POETIC]; [[RARE]]

      Syntactic words
    • vadNresplendent, delicate
    • vibe strikingly beautiful, be resplendent
    豔  yàn OC: lams MC: jiɛm 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vibe alluring; be attractive to look at or to read
    嚴麗  yán lì OC: ŋɡam b-reels MC: ŋi̯ɐm lei 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe of majestic beauty, be imposing
    醜美  chǒu měi OC: khljuʔ mriʔ MC: tɕhɨu mi 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • NPab{nab1ant.nab2}featurerelative beauty or ugliness
    • NP{N1&N2}beautiful and ugly things
    端嚴  duān yán OC: toon ŋɡam MC: tʷɑn ŋi̯ɐm 2 Attributions
    • 唐五代語言詞典 Táng Wǔdài yǔyán cídiǎn A Dictionary of the Language of the Tang and Five Dynasties Periods ( JIANG/CAO 1997) p. 102

      Syntactic words
    • VPibeautiful in a dignified way, handsome
    美妙  měi miào OC: mriʔ mews MC: mi miɛu 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VP[adN]exquisitly beautiful person
    • VPibe exquisitly beautiful
    倩  qiàn OC: tsheens MC: tshen 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vadNbeautiful
    • vibeautiful
    壯  zhuàng OC: skraŋs MC: ʈʂi̯ɐŋ 2 Attributions

    Zhuàng 壯 "stately" (ant. ruò 弱 "weak and unsightly") is virile beauty associated with strength and vigour. See STRONG [NATURAL], [MARGINAL], [POETIC]; [[RARE]]

      Word relations
    • Assoc: 麗/BEAUTIFUL Lì 麗 (ant. sù 素 "unadorned) is often restricted to physical objects, prototypically to clothes, and emphasises their balanced symmetric beauty, occasionally also the well-aligned symmetric beauty of mountains. [ELEVATED], [NON-HUMAN]

      Syntactic words
    • vistately
    姝  shū MC: tsyhu OC: thjo 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • v[adN]reference=femalebeautiful ladyCH
    • vipsychologicalattractive, niceCH
    孌  luán OC: b-ronʔ MC: liɛn 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vilovely; beautiful; handsome
    壯麗  zhuàng lì OC: skraŋs b-reels MC: ʈʂi̯ɐŋ lei 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • NPab{N1=N2}virile beauty; vigorous beauty
    • VPibe stately and handsome
    文麗  wén lì OC: mɯn b-reels MC: mi̯un lei 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • NPabfeatureelegant beauty
    • VPadNstately and beautiful
    章  zhāng MC: tsyang OC: kjaŋ 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • nabsplendour; splendours; delightsCH
    粲然  càn rán MC: tshanH nyen OC: tshaans njen 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPadVstative word evoking splendour: in a spledid way, in a way the splendour can be perceived etc.LZ
    可愛  kě ài OC: khlaalʔ qɯɯds MC: khɑ ʔəi 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPiworth to be loved > lovely, attractive, beautiful (synonym group ??)
    葳蕤  wēi ruí OC: qul njul MC: ʔɨi ȵi 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe resplendently beautiful, be strikingly beautiful
    • VPiinchoativeturn out complex and intricately beautifulCH
    郁  yù OC: qʷɯɡ MC: ʔuk 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vistately, elegant
    美麗  měi lì OC: mriʔ b-reels MC: mi lei 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPadNbeautiful in every way
    鑠  shuò OC: qhljawɡ MC: ɕi̯ɐk 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vibe beautiful; be impressive
    韡  wěi OC: ɢulʔ MC: ɦɨi 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vi.redbe very beautiful; be gorgeous
    韶  sháo OC: ɡ-lew MC: dʑiɛu 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • visplendid
    郁郁  yù yù OC: qʷɯɡ qʷɯɡ MC: ʔuk ʔuk 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vi.red:adNsupremely elegant
    脩美  xiū měi OC: sqlɯw mriʔ MC: sɨu mi
    修美  xiū měi OC: sqlɯw mriʔ MC: sɨu mi 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • NPabfeatureremarkable (moral) beauty
    妖冶  yāo yě MC: 'jew dzyoX OC: qrow laʔ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe pleasing to the eyeCH
    雅正  yǎ zhèng MC: ngaeX tsyengH OC: ŋɡraaʔ tjeŋs 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VP(adN)refined and correctly elegantCH
    好姱  hǎo kuā OC: qhuuʔ khʷraa MC: hɑu khɣɛ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPiintensitivebe extraordinarily beautiful in appearance
    鶴鶴  hè hè OC: ɡlaawɡ ɡlaawɡ MC: ɦɑk ɦɑk 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vi.redintensitivebe very clean and shiny
    綺靡  qǐ mǐ MC: khjeX mjeX OC: khralʔ mralʔ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe subtly and intricately beautifulCH
    冶  yě MC: dzyoX OC: laʔ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vibe beautifulCH
    冶  yě MC: dzyoX OC: laʔ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vibe beautifulCH
    秀雅  xiù yǎ OC: slus ŋɡraaʔ MC: sɨu ŋɣɛ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe beauteous
    好脩  hǎo xiū OC: qhuuʔ sqlɯw MC: hɑu sɨu 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPifigurativebe abstractly (or psychologically) very beautiful or attractive
    好色  hǎo sè OC: qhuuʔ sqrɯɡ MC: hɑu ʂɨk 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • NPabfeatureattractiveness (particularly of young ladies)
    嘉淑  jiā shū OC: kraal ɡljɯwɡ MC: kɣɛ dʑuk 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VP[adN]elegant and beautiful offerings
    夭  ǎo OC: qoowʔ MC: ʔɑu 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vibeautiful and young; delicate
    婉  wǎn OC: qonʔ MC: ʔi̯ɐn 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vipolitely winning; graceful; amiable; gentle
    媔  Click here to add pinyin OC:  MC: 1 Attribution

    mián

      Syntactic words
    • vibe beautiful
    嫭  hù OC: ɢaas MC: ɦuo̝ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vadNHANSHU: beautiful (of women)
    • vibeautiful
    妙色  miào sè OC: mews sqrɯɡ MC: miɛu ʂɨk 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPadNsplendidly colourful and beautiful
    端秀  duān xiù OC: toon slus MC: tʷɑn sɨu 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe beautiful, handsome
    妍蚩  yán chī MC: ngen tsyhi OC: ŋɡeen khljɯ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • NPabconceptbeautyCH
    懰  liǔ OC: b-ruʔ MC: lɨu 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vibeautiful; handsome; fine
    姣美  jiāo měi MC: kaewX mijX OC: kreewʔ mriʔ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPihandsome, beautifulLZ
    斐  fěi OC: phɯlʔ MC: phɨi 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • viornate, elegant
    • vi-V{SUFF}be bombastically beautiful 裴然
    景  jǐng MC: kjaengX OC: kraŋʔ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • nbeautiful vista, elevating sceneryCH
    曼  màn OC: mons MC: mi̯ɐn 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vadNbeautiful?? ??? ??? ??????
    好醜  hǎo chǒu MC: xawX tsyhuwX OC: qhuuʔ khljuʔ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • NPabfeaturerelative beautyCH
    夸麗  kuā lì MC: khwae lejH OC: khʷraa b-reels 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPadNbeautiful, splendidLZ
    潤  rùn 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • nabfeaturetranslucent beautyCH
    佳冶  jiā yě OC: kree laʔ MC: kɣɛ jɣɛ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • NPabfeatureremarkable beauty
    有相  yǒu xiàng OC: ɢʷɯʔ sqaŋs MC: ɦɨu si̯ɐŋ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPadNpresentable; impressive
    清麗  qīng lì MC: tshjeng lejH OC: tsheŋ b-reels 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPipoeticexquisitely beautiful and aesthetically undilutedCH
    靡麗  mǐ lì OC: mralʔ b-reels MC: miɛ lei 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPadNelaborately beautifulCH
    • VPibe wonderful and splendid
    美色  měi sè OC: mriʔ sqrɯɡ MC: mi ʂɨk 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • NPabfeaturebeauty
    盼  pàn OC: phrɯɯns MC: phɣɛn 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • viwell-defined; beautiful (of eyes)
    睍  xiàn OC: ɡeenʔ MC: ɦen 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • viSHI: be beautiful
    絢  xuàn OC: qhʷiins MC: hen
    絃  xuàn OC: qhʷeens MC: hen 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • viLY 3.8: (of cloth) beautiful, with beautiful patterns (and colourful)
    濯濯  zhuó zhuó OC: rleewɡ rleewɡ MC: ɖɣɔk ɖɣɔk 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vi.redto be sleek and in excellent condition
    純好  chún hǎo OC: djun qhuuʔ MC: dʑʷin hɑu 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe beautiful
    膚  fū OC: pqla MC: pi̯o 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vibeautiful; fine
    華麗  huá lì OC: ɢʷraal b-reels MC: ɦɣɛ lei 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • NPabaestheticbeauty
    • NPadNdone-up and beautiful, lavishly embellished
    婀娜  ā nuó OC: qlaal naalʔ MC: ʔɑ nɑ 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe exquisitely beautiful
    勃  bó MC: bwot OC: bɯɯd 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • viEXCELLENT> 富有生机之突起。“rich in lively originality"CH
    順比  shùn bǐ OC: ɢjuns piʔ MC: ʑʷin pi 0 Attributions

    Shùn bǐ 順比 occasionally refers to the smooth beauty of text.

      Syntactic words
    • VPibe mellow and smooth
    姚  yáo OC: k-lew MC: jiɛu 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • nabpsychdecorous modesty ???
    • vibe beautiful; handsome (XUN)
    娟  juān OC: qʷlen MC: ʔiɛn 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vadNpoeticbeautiful, graceful
    嬋  chán OC: djan MC: dʑiɛn 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vadNpoeticbeautiful, pretty, lovely
    嬋娟  chán juān OC: djan qʷlen MC: dʑiɛn ʔiɛn 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VPadNpoeticbeautiful, graceful, attractive
      Click here to add pinyin MC:  OC: 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • nbeautiful vista, elevating sceneryCH
      Click here to add pinyin MC:  OC: 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe subtly and intricately beautifulCH
      Click here to add pinyin MC:  OC: 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe pleasing to the eyeCH
      Click here to add pinyin MC:  OC: 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vibe beautifulCH
    昌  chāng OC: thjaŋ MC: tɕhi̯ɐŋ 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vibeautiful; splendid (SHI)
    曲直  qū zhí OC: khoɡ dɯɡ MC: khi̯ok ɖɨk 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • NPabfeatureelaborate beauty
    • VPadNof exquisite appearance; of exquisite beauty
    玉  yù OC: ŋɡoɡ MC: ŋi̯ok 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • nadNof jade-like beauty and dignity
    佼好  jiǎo hǎo OC: kreewʔ qhuuʔ MC: kɣɛu hɑu 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe attractive; be handsome
    粲  càn OC: tshaans MC: tshɑn 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vibeautiful; splendid