彬 (bīn) — refined, urbane, cultivated (literary)
Definition
彬 is a literary bound form meaning 'refined and cultivated' in manner or bearing, almost always used inside the set phrase 文质彬彬. Not used alone in everyday speech.
bound form
refinedurbanecultivated (literary)
Examples
- ，。Tā jǔ zhǐ wén zhì bīn bīn, hěn yǒu jiào yǎng.His manner is refined and cultivated, very well-bred.
- ，。Tā de wén fēng wén zhì bīn bīn, lìng rén jìng pèi.His writing style is refined and admirable.
- ，，。Zhè wèi xué zhě tán tǔ wén yǎ, dài rén bīn bīn yǒu lǐ, xué shí yuān bó.This scholar speaks elegantly, treats others with refined courtesy, and has profound knowledge.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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
彡彡shān
Sound part声符shēngfú
焚
焚fén彬
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
彬 joins 焚 and 彡; 焚 gives the sound, and 彡 gives the meaning.
Appears in
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