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温克 (wēn kè) — gentle and self-restrained

Definition

温克 (wēnkè) is a formal, literary adjective-like verb meaning 'gentle and self-restrained' — it describes a person's temperament, especially under pressure. More literary than everyday 温柔, and stresses restraint more than warmth.

verb
gentle and self-restrained

Examples

  • 温克，。
    Tā wèi rén wēn kè, cóng bù fā pí qi.
    He is gentle and self-restrained, never losing his temper.
  • ，温克。
    Zài zhè zhǒng chǎng hé, tā biǎo xiàn dé shí fēn wēn kè.
    On such occasions, she behaves very gently and self-restrainedly.
  • 温克。
    wēn kè De tài dù ràng tā zài tán pàn zhōng yíng dé le zūn zhòng.
    His gentle and self-restrained attitude earned him respect in the negotiations.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

温wēngentle
克kèrestrain

温 means gentle, and 克 means to restrain, giving a sense of gentle self-restraint.

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 溫; 温 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 溫 is based on an older form 𥁕, which drew a person bathing in a container full of warm water. The simplified 温 is a later variant.

Open 温 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 克 →
Appears in
Personality & Traits

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