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绅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
绅shēnmember of gentryn, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #23148, Hard
绅shēngirdle, tie; gentry; to bendn, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #23148, Hard
shēn(shen1) T1
  1. 1member of gentry
  2. 2girdle, tie; gentry; to bend
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March 24, 2026
绅(紳)shēn(shen1)

The character 绅 (shēn) refers to a member of the gentry, which historically denotes a class of respectable and influential individuals in Chinese society. It can also imply elements of refinement or social standing, often associated with the traditional upper class or educated elite. In modern contexts, it may connote elegance or sophistication.

Strokes8Radical纟Frequency#23148DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the gentry class historically played a significant role in governance and education, often being seen as moral exemplars. The concept of 绅 reflects the importance of social hierarchy and the values of respectability and refinement in traditional society.

Memory Tip

Think of 绅 (shēn) as a 'gentleman' who wears a fine girdle (the radical 绳 represents a rope or tie) to show his status. Visualize him bending slightly in a polite bow to greet you, emphasizing his refined upbringing.

Meanings of 绅

shēn(shen1)
1member of gentry
2girdle, tie; gentry; to bend
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 绅

绅Simplified
紳Traditional
8Strokes
纟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#23148Frequency Rank

Podcast: 绅

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Podcast: 绅

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AI Study Notes for 绅

Quick Contrast

士 (shì) - use 绅 (shēn) when referring specifically to the gentry or a refined social class, while 士 (shì) refers more broadly to scholars or gentlemen without the same connotation of wealth or status.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 绅 (shēn) as a 'gentleman' who wears a fine girdle (the radical 绳 represents a rope or tie) to show his status. Visualize him bending slightly in a polite bow to greet you, emphasizing his refined upbringing.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone, as 'shēn' has a high-level tone that can be easily confused with other words. It is typically used in formal contexts when discussing social classes or characteristics of refinement. Common collocations include 绅士 (shēnshì), meaning 'gentleman'.

HSK Study Tips

Although 绅 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it relates to themes found in HSK Level 4 and above, such as social structures and relationships. Focus on understanding its use in literature and historical contexts to deepen comprehension.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the gentry class historically played a significant role in governance and education, often being seen as moral exemplars. The concept of 绅 reflects the importance of social hierarchy and the values of respectability and refinement in traditional society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 绅 with similar-sounding words. For example, using 'shen' with a neutral tone may lead to misunderstandings. Always use the correct high tone 'shēn' to convey the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 绅

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Etymology of 绅

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 申 represents the sound. Simplified form of 紳.

Memory Hint

silk

Semantic (meaning)纟
+
Phonetic (sound)申
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 绅?

Decomposition of 绅

IDS Structure⿰纟申
绅Full Character
=
纟si1
left
申Shen1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 绅?

Write 绅

绅

Practice writing 绅 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 绅

绅 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

这整个地方就是那位家长式乡____的浪漫想象。

The whole place was the romantic vision of the paternalist local squire.

Example Sentences for 绅 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这整个地方就是那位家长式乡绅的浪漫想象。

zhè zhěng gè dì fāng jiù shì nà wèi jiā cháng shì xiāng shēn de làng màn xiǎng xiàng。

The whole place was the romantic vision of the paternalist local squire.
2
这位绅士，尽管年事已高，仍然帮着凯瑟琳回到座位上。

zhè wèi shēn shì， ， jìn guǎn nián shì yǐ， gāo ， réng rán bāng zháo kǎi sè lín huí dào zuò。

The gentleman, despite his advanced years, helped Kathryn back to her seat.
3
这个电话是一位绅士打来的，他似乎非常诚恳。

zhè gè diàn huà shì yī wèi shēn shì dǎ lái de， ， tā sì hū fēi cháng chéng。

I got this phone call from a gentleman, who seemed sincere enough.
4
把盗窃艺术品看作是一种绅士犯罪的观念已经过时了。

bǎ dào qiè yì shù pǐn kàn zuò shì yī zhǒng shēn shì fàn zuì de guān niàn yǐ jīng guò shí le。

The image of art theft as a gentleman's crime is outdated.
5
他总是举止得体，一直是个完美的绅士。

tā zǒng shì jǔ zhǐ dé tǐ， ， yī zhí shì gè wán měi de shēn。

He would never be improper, he is always the perfect gentleman.
6
绅士应该总是彬彬有礼,即便是对地位不及自己者.

shēn shì yīng gāi zǒng shì bīn bīn yǒu lǐ, , jí biàn shì duì dì wèi bù jí zì jǐ.

A gentleman should always be civil, even to his inferiors.
7
那位老绅士坐立不安, 紧张得不得了.

nà wèi lǎo shēn shì zuò lì bù ān, , jǐn zhāng dé bù dé.

That elderly gentleman was exceedingly on the jump , as nervous as a man well could be.
8
这个绅士打量了他一下,伸手想摸块1角的银币.

zhè gè shēn shì dǎ liáng le tā yī xià, , shēn shǒu xiǎng mō1 kuài 1 jiǎo de.

The gentleman looked him over and fished for a dime.
9
匹克威克先生是位又矮又胖 、 和蔼乐观 、 心地纯洁的老绅士.

pǐ kè wēi kè xiān shēng shì wèi yòu ǎi yòu pàng、 、 hé ǎi lè、 guān 、 xīn dì chún jié de lǎo.

Mr. Pickwick is a stout, good - natured , cheerful, very simple - hearted old gentleman.
10
朱丽雅化装成一位胖乡绅.

zhū lì yǎ huà zhuāng chéng yī wèi pàng xiāng shēn.

Julia was dressed as a fat country man.

Cultural Notes for 绅

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the gentry class historically played a significant role in governance and education, often being seen as moral exemplars. The concept of 绅 reflects the importance of social hierarchy and the values of respectability and refinement in traditional society.

Word Family of 绅

Words Containing This Character4
绅士shēnshìgentleman紳士
绅shēnmember of gentry紳
乡绅squire鄉紳
土豪劣绅local bosses, shady gentry (idiom); dominant local mafia土豪劣紳
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 绅士 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 绅

In modern contexts, 绅 refers more broadly to individuals of refined taste or elegance rather than strictly to social class.