Definition
高雅 (gāo yǎ) describes something with a refined, sophisticated, and tasteful quality — often used for art, music, or elegant tastes. It contrasts with 优雅 (yōu yǎ, 'graceful') which focuses on graceful movement or appearance, and with 文雅 (wén yǎ, 'cultured') which emphasizes polite, cultivated manners in speech and behavior.
adjective
elegantrefinedtasteful (of art, music, taste, or manner)
Easily confused
- 高压gāo yāsound-alikehigh pressure (in weather, physics, machinery)
Examples
- 高雅。Tā xǐhuan tīng gāo yǎ yīnyuè.She likes listening to refined music.
- 高雅。Zhè jiā cāntīng de zhuāngxiū fēicháng gāo yǎ.The decoration of this restaurant is very elegant.
- 高雅，。Tā de tántǔ hěn gāo yǎ, ràng rén gǎnjué hěn shūfu.His speech is very refined, making people feel very comfortable.
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