神态 (shén tài) — facial expression; look; manner; bearing; depor…

Definition

A literary word for a person's overall facial expression and bearing. Closer to 神情 (expression only) than to 举止 (behavior/manner) or 态度 (attitude).

noun

facial expressionlookmannerbearingdeportment

神态，。
Tā shuō huà shí shén tài hěn zì rán, bú xiàng zài sā huǎng.
His expression was very natural when he spoke, not like he was lying.
神态。
Cóng tā de shén tài kě yǐ kàn chū tā hěn pí bèi.
From her demeanor you could tell she was very tired.
神态。
Zhè wèi yǎn yuán de shén tài biàn huà fēi cháng fēng fù.
This actor's facial expressions are very varied.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

神shénspirit/expression

态tàimanner/state

神态 combines 神 (spirit/expression) and 态 (manner/state) to mean a person's look or bearing.

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

示示shìgod; deity

Sound part声符shēngfú

申

Same sound today

The older form 申 drew lightning, which the ancients regarded as divine; 神 adds 示 (god/deity) to mark that meaning.

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

太心态

Meaning part形符xíngfú

心心xīnheart

Sound part声符shēngfú

太

Same sound today

态 is made of 太, which gives the sound, and 心 (heart).

Appears in