容姿端麗

ようしたんれい
nounAdvanced💡 handsome and refined appearance
formal

A person who is handsome and refined in both appearance and demeanor, often admired for their elegance and beauty.

彼は容姿端麗なだけでなく、振る舞いも上品だった。

He was not only handsome and refined but also had elegant manners.

💡

Used to describe individuals, typically in formal or literary contexts. Often implies a sense of dignity and grace beyond mere physical attractiveness.

Collocations

容姿端麗な人a handsome and refined person容姿端麗な女性a beautiful and elegant woman容姿端麗な若者a handsome and refined young person

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal

This term is highly formal and literary. For casual compliments, use simpler phrases like 「かっこいい」 (kakkoii, 'cool') or 「美しい」 (utsukushii, 'beautiful').

Gold Rule

Cultural Context

The term reflects traditional Japanese aesthetic ideals of beauty, which emphasize harmony, refinement, and dignity. It is often associated with aristocratic or noble qualities, even when used to describe modern individuals.

📖Word Origin

The word combines three kanji: 容姿 (ようし, yōshi, 'appearance'), 端 (たん, tan, 'refined/neat'), and 麗 (れい, rei, 'beautiful/elegant'). It has been used in classical Japanese literature to describe individuals of exceptional beauty and grace, often with a connotation of aristocratic refinement.

📝Usage Notes

Primarily used to describe physical appearance and demeanor in a formal or literary context. Avoid using it casually or for everyday compliments, as it carries a sense of high praise and sophistication. Often used in written language or formal speeches.

Word Breakdown

appearance/form
root
+
姿
figure/figure
root
+
refined/neat
root
+
beautiful/elegant
root
和英辞典