情操 (qíng cāo) — refined sentiment (intellectual, aesthetic, or moral); lofty character; integrity

Definition

A formal, literary noun for cultivated inner character — one's refined moral, aesthetic, or intellectual sensibilities. Stronger and more highbrow than 品质 ('character/quality').

noun
refined sentiment (intellectual, aesthetic, or moral)lofty characterintegrity

Examples

  • 情操。
    Tā shì yí wèi yǒu gāo shàng qíng cāo de yì shù jiā.
    He is an artist of noble sentiment.
  • 情操。
    Zhè bù zuò pǐn néng tí shēng rén men de shěn měi qíng cāo.
    This work can elevate people's aesthetic sensibilities.
  • 情操。
    Péi yǎng dào dé qíng cāo shì jiào yù de zhòng yào mù biāo.
    Cultivating moral integrity is an important goal of education.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

情qíngfeelings
操cāomoral conduct

情 feelings and 操 moral conduct combine to mean refined sentiment and integrity.

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
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.

Open 情 →

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
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
喿
喿zào操cāo
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left part 手 shows a hand, indicating an action done by hand. The right part 喿 gives the sound.

Open 操 →

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