神气 (shén qì) — (noun) expression, manner, look; (adjective) vi… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

神气 covers both a confident, impressive air (positive) and putting on airs (negative) — context decides which. Related to 气派 and 气魄, but more about personal manner than grand presence.

noun

expressionmannerlook

adjective

vigorousimpressivefull of confidencepretentiousloftyputting on airs

Examples

神气。
Tā shuō huà de shén qì hěn zì rán.
The way he speaks is very natural.
，神气。
Chuān shàng jūn zhuāng yǐ hòu, tā xiǎn de hěn shén qì.
After putting on the military uniform, he looked very impressive.
神气，。
Bié nà me shén qì, shuí dōu bù bǐ nǐ qiáng.
Don't be so pretentious — nobody is better than you.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

气qìenergy

神 and 气 blend to suggest spirit and energy showing in a look.

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

示示shìgod; deity

Sound part声符shēngfú

申

申shēn神shén

Same sound today

The older form 申 drew lightning, which the ancients regarded as divine; 神 adds 示 (god/deity) to mark that meaning.

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 氣; 气 is its simplified writing.

气米氣

Meaning part形符xíngfú

米米mǐrice

Sound part声符shēngfú

气

气qì氣qì

Same sound today

The traditional form 氣 pairs 米 (rice) with 气, which supplies the sound; the simplified 气 is a later abbreviation.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Personality & Traits

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