Definition
岸然 is a literary verb phrase meaning 'to appear solemn and impressive'. It is rarely used alone; its most common occurrence is in the chengyu 道貌岸然 (dào mào àn rán), which describes someone who puts on a righteous and solemn appearance but is actually insincere or hypocritical. In modern Chinese, you will almost always encounter it as part of this idiom.
v.p.
(literary, verb phrase) to appear solemn and impressiveoften part of the idiom 道貌岸然
Examples
- 岸然,實內並。Tā dàomào àn rán, qíshí nèixīn bìng bú shànliáng.He appears righteous and solemn, but his heart is not kind.
- 岸然,。Tā àn rán zhànlì, bú nù zì wēi.He stands solemnly, imposing without anger.
- 這種岸然態讓覺虛偽。Zhè zhǒng àn rán zhī tài ràng rén juéde xūwěi.This kind of solemn demeanor feels hypocritical.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.