雍容 (yōng róng) — dignified, graceful, and poised (of a person's bearing or manner)

Definition

Literary word for a calm, unhurried dignity in bearing and manner — closer to 'majestic composure' than to 漂亮 (pretty) or 优雅 (elegant in style). Often used for older or high-status people in writing.

verb
dignifiedgracefuland poised (of a person's bearing or manner)

Examples

  • 雍容，。
    Tā jǔ zhǐ yōng róng, hěn yǒu dà jiā fēng fàn.
    Her manner is dignified and graceful, very much like a person from a distinguished family.
  • 雍容，。
    Zhè wèi lǎo jiào shòu tài dù yōng róng, lìng rén zūn jìng.
    This old professor's demeanor is poised and commands respect.
  • ，雍容。
    Tā chuān zhuó qí páo, xiǎn de shí fēn yōng róng.
    Wearing a cheongsam, she looks very dignified and graceful.

Origin

Single-morpheme word
构词法gòucífǎ
联绵liánmiánBound pair

Two characters that only ever appear together, spelling one ancient two-syllable word.

雍yōng
容róng

雍 and 容 carry no meaning of their own here; together they spell a word for dignified grace.

Sound-only characters

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 雍 →

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
宀宀mián
Sound part声符shēngfú
公
公gōng容róng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 容, the 宀 (roof) part points to holding or containing, and 公 gives the sound.

Open 容 →

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