英俊 (yīng jùn) — handsome

Definition

Formal, written-style word for a 'handsome' man — stronger and more literary than the everyday 帅. Typically used for adult men, especially in writing or formal speech.

adjective
handsome

Examples

  • 英俊。
    Zhè wèi yīng jùn de jūn guān lái zì běi jīng.
    This handsome officer comes from Beijing.
  • 英俊。
    yīng jùn Shì zhè ge yǎn yuán de tè diǎn.
    Handsomeness is a trait of this actor.
  • 英俊。
    Tā nán péng you cháng dé fēi cháng yīng jùn.
    Her boyfriend is very handsome.

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.

英yīngoutstanding
俊jùnhandsome

英 and 俊 both point to outstanding, handsome qualities, so together they describe a good-looking person.

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
艹Written in full as艸cǎograss
Sound part声符shēngfú
央
央yāng英yīng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

英 pairs 艹 (grass) with 央, which gives the sound.

Open 英 →

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
⺅Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
夋
夋qūn俊jùn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

俊 pairs 人 (person) with 夋, which gives the sound; the person part shows it relates to a person.

Open 俊 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 5Appearance5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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