皙 (xī) — (literary) fair complexion; whiteness of skin
Definition
A literary word for 'fair, pale skin' — almost always paired with 白 (白皙) and found mostly in classical-style writing, not daily speech.
noun
(literary) fair complexionwhiteness of skin
Easily confused
- 西Xīsound-alikewest; the West
- 吸xīsound-aliketo inhale, to breathe in
- 嘻xīsound-alike(interjection) an exclamation expressing surprise, alarm, or sorrow
- 兮xīsound-alike(classical Chinese modal particle) used for exclamation or rhythmic effect, similar to 'oh' or 'ah'
- 希xīsound-alikehope (bound form, as in 希望)
- 膝xīsound-alike(bound form) knee (used in compounds like 膝盖, 膝关节)
Examples
- 皙。Bái xī zài zhōng guó gǔ dài wén xué zhōng cháng yòng lái xíng róng měi nǚ.Fair complexion is often used to describe beautiful women in ancient Chinese literature.
- 皙。Tā de bái xī shèng guò xǔ duō hù fū pǐn.Her fair complexion surpasses many skincare products.
- 皙。Gǔ rén yǐ bái xī wèi měi dì biāo zhǔn zhī yī.The ancients considered fair complexion one of the standards of beauty.
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