About
The character "绅", derived from its traditional form "紳", is structured with the silk radical on the left, denoting association with fabric, and the component "申" on the right, which initially provided phonetic guidance while also hinting at notions of extension or presentation. Its original meaning referred specifically to a broad sash or belt worn by aristocrats and officials, serving as a ceremonial garment that denoted rank and authority within ancient Chinese society. From this concrete object, the term underwent a semantic expansion to metaphorically represent the class of individuals who wore such insignia, evolving to designate the landed gentry or scholarly elite who wielded social power through civil service and cultural refinement. This transition from denoting a material object to symbolizing a social stratum illustrates how the character's meaning adapted to reflect the centrality of these figures in governance and community leadership, maintaining a core association with cultivated authority and propriety throughout its historical usage.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他是一位绅士。
这位绅士很有礼貌。
绅士风度值得学习。
那位绅商捐赠了学校。
旧时的绅权很大。
这位绅士的言谈举止很优雅。
地方事务曾由乡绅管理。
传统绅士形象与现代价值观需要融合。