斯文

sīwén

adjective #18,936

Meanings

1 refined
2 cultured
3 gentle and polite

Characters

this (classical)

culture; literature

Examples

HSK 1

她是个斯文的女孩。

Tā shì gè sīwén de nǚhái.

She is a gentle and cultured girl.

HSK 3

他看起来很斯文。

Tā kànqǐlai hěn sīwén.

He looks very refined.

Tips

history

斯文 originally referred to culture and literature in classical Chinese (from the Analects: 斯文在兹). It later came to describe a person who is cultured and well-mannered.

Stroke Order

斯 sī

文 wén