man4 zat1 ban1 ban1文質彬彬文质彬彬
Jyutpingman4 zat1 ban1 ban1
Yalemàhn jāt bān bān
Definition
Refined and gentle; polite and elegant in manner.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is used exclusively to describe men who appear cultured, soft-spoken, and well-mannered. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone, so it is often used in descriptive writing or when making a polite observation about someone's character. While it implies a positive, gentle demeanor, it can sometimes be used ironically to suggest someone is overly bookish or lacks a rugged edge.
Examples
He speaks in a refined and gentle way, and is very polite.
Why are you dressed so elegantly and refined today?
Related words
Common phrases
having a refined and gentle appearance
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe women, as the term is traditionally reserved for men. For women, other adjectives like 溫文爾雅 are more appropriate.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
