矜持 (jīn chí) — restrained; reserved (in demeanor)

Definition

矜持 (jīnchí) means 'reserved' in manner — holding back emotions, especially in social situations. It suggests deliberate self-restraint, not shyness.

adjective

restrainedreserved (in demeanor)

矜持，。
Tā biǎo xiàn dé hěn jīn chí, méi yǒu zhǔ dòng shuō huà.
She behaved very reservedly, not initiating conversation.
矜持。
Tā zài mò shēng rén miàn qián zǒng shì hěn jīn chí.
He is always very reserved in front of strangers.
矜持，。
Miàn shì shí yīng gāi bǎo chí jīn chí, dàn bú yào jǐn zhāng.
During an interview, you should remain reserved but not nervous.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

矜jīnrestrained

持chíkept restrained

矜 and 持 both convey kept restraint, giving reserved.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

矛矛máospear

Sound part声符shēngfú

令

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The current shape is a corrupted form of an older compound that paired 矛 (spear) with 令 as the sound part.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

寺

寺sì持chí

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

持 combines 手 (hand), for the idea of holding, with 寺, which gives the sound.

Appears in