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liánhéSide by side

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

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.