成色 (chéng sè) — fineness (of gold/silver), purity percentage; quality, overall condition (of an object); propriety, dignity (of a person, less common)
Definition
Two main senses: the literal purity of gold or silver (e.g. 999 fineness), and the quality or condition of a thing or person (integrity, dignity). At HSK 7, focus is on the abstract 'quality/character' sense rather than metallurgy.
noun
fineness (of gold/silver)purity percentagequalityoverall condition (of an object)proprietydignity (of a person, less common)
Examples
- 成色。Zhè kuài jīn tiáo de chéng sè shì qiān fēn zhī jiǔ bǎi jiǔ shí jiǔ.The fineness of this gold bar is 999 per thousand.
- 成色，。Zhè liàng èr shǒu chē de chéng sè bú cuò, bǎo yǎng dé hěn hǎo.The condition of this used car is good; it's been well maintained.
- 成色，。Zuò rén yào yǒu chéng sè, bù néng yán ér wú xìn.A person must have integrity; you can't go back on your word.
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