Definition
斯文 (sī wén) as a noun refers to the refined culture and values of the literati class in traditional China — encompassing scholarship, etiquette, and moral cultivation. In modern colloquial Chinese, 斯文 is more commonly used as an adjective meaning 'refined, gentle, or cultured' (e.g., 他看起来很斯文), though that usage is not covered by this noun entry. The noun form appears in formal or literary contexts.
n.
the refined culture of the literatischolarly refinement
Examples
- 斯文。sī wén shì gǔdài dúshūrén de jīngshén zhuīqiú.Literati culture was the spiritual pursuit of ancient scholars.
- 斯文。Tā yìshēng zhìlì yú chuánchéng sī wén.He devoted his life to passing on literati culture.
- ，斯文。Xiàndài shèhuì zhōng, sī wén sìhū yuè lái yuè shǎojiàn.In modern society, literati culture seems increasingly rare.
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