神采 (shén cǎi) — lively expression, radiant look, spirited demeanor

Definition

Noun for a lively, spirited look on someone's face — a visible inner energy or confidence, not just physical attractiveness. Often paired with 奕奕 (神采奕奕) for a 'radiant' feel.

noun
lively expressionradiant lookspirited demeanor

Examples

  • ，。
    Tā jīn tiān kàn qǐ lái shén cǎi yì yì, xīn qíng yí dìng hěn hǎo.
    He looks radiant and vigorous today — he must be in a great mood.
  • ，神采。
    Lǎo rén suī rán nián jì dà le, dàn liǎn shàng yī rán chōng mǎn shén cǎi.
    Although the old man is advanced in age, his face still radiates a lively spirit.
  • 神采。
    Tā de shén cǎi ràng rén yí kàn jiù zhī dào tā hěn yǒu zì xìn.
    Her spirited expression lets people know at a glance that she is very confident.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

神shénspirit
采cǎiluster

神 (spirit) + 采 (luster) describes the lively light seen in a person's 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.

Open 神 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 採; 采 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 采 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (采访, 采购) it is 採; in others it is 采.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
采
采cǎi採cǎi
Same sound today

The traditional form 採 combines 扌 (hand) with 采, which gives the sound and means to pick.

Open 采 →

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