阳刚之气 (yáng gāng zhī qì) — manliness; masculine spirit; virility

Definition

Refers to the bold, upright, vigorous spirit traditionally seen as masculine — courage, strength, resolve. Often contrasted with 阴柔之气 (soft, gentle qualities).

noun
manlinessmasculine spiritvirility

Examples

  • 阳刚之气。
    Tā hěn yǒu yáng gāng zhī qì.
    He is very manly.
  • 阳刚之气。
    Tā de yáng gāng zhī qì ràng rén jìng pèi.
    His masculine spirit is admirable.
  • 阳刚之气。
    Duàn liàn shēn tǐ kě yǐ zēng qiáng yáng gāng zhī qì.
    Exercising can enhance masculine spirit.

Origin

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 陽; 阳 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
阜阜fùhill
Sound part声符shēngfú
昜
昜yáng陽yáng
Same sound today

In the traditional form 陽, 阜 shows a hill and 昜 is the older character for the word, tied to sunshine and the sound; simplified 阳 is a later shorthand.

Open 阳 →

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 剛; 刚 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 剛 was made by combining a picture-like sign with a sign that gave its sound; the simplified 刚 is a later shorthand.

Open 刚 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →

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 氣; 气 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
气
气qì氣qì
Same sound today

The traditional form 氣 pairs 米 (rice) with 气, which supplies the sound; the simplified 气 is a later abbreviation.

Open 气 →

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