修身

xiūshēn
adjective #38,631

Meanings

  1. 1 slim-fit / body-hugging (fashion)
  2. 2 to cultivate one's moral character

Examples

Zhè jiàn chènshān hěn xiūshēn, xiǎn shēncái.
This shirt is very slim-fit; it shows off your figure.
Gǔrén jiǎngjiu xiūshēn qí jiā zhìguó píng tiānxià.
The ancients emphasized self-cultivation, household order, state governance, and peace under heaven.

Tips

culture
Two lives in one word. Classical: 修身 from 《大学》 — 'to cultivate oneself' — the first step in 修身天下. Modern retail: 'slim-fit', the default cut of men's shirts and women's dresses on Taobao. Context tells you which meaning is in play.

Stroke Order

xiū
shēn