神情 (shén qíng) — facial expression; look | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Written/literary word for 'look' or 'expression' on someone's face. Compared to 表情, 神情 is more literary and emphasizes the overall mood or spirit conveyed, less the specific facial movement.

noun

facial expressionlook

Examples

神情。
Tā liǎn shàng de shén qíng hěn yán sù.
The look on his face was very serious.
神情。
Tā de shén qíng zhōng chōng mǎn le xǐ yuè.
Her expression was filled with joy.
神情。
Cóng tā de shén qíng kě yǐ kàn chū tā hěn jǐn zhāng.
You can tell from his expression that he is very nervous.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

情qíngfeeling

神 and 情 combine to show the feeling seen on a face.

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

申shēn神shén

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

心心xīnheart

Sound part声符shēngfú

青

青qīng情qíng

Same sound today

情 shows 心 (heart) beside 青, which gives the sound. The heart part points to feelings and inner states.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Appearance

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