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紳士 (しんし, shinshi) Japanese meaning: gentleman | Kotomora

紳しん士し

し

ん

し

Common word›JLPTN1›Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

Refers to a man of good manners, refined character, and respectable social standing. Often used in contrast with 婦人 (lady).

See also: 婦人

彼かれは真しんの紳しん士しだ。

He is a true gentleman.

紳しん士し服ふく売うり場ばは三さん階がいです。

The men's clothing department is on the third floor.

Usage patterns

紳しん士しらしく振ふる舞まうto behave like a gentleman
彼かれはどんな時ときも紳しん士しらしく振ふる舞まった。
He always behaved like a gentleman, no matter the situation.
紳しん士しの風ふう格かくがあるto have the air/bearing of a gentleman
祖そ父ふには紳しん士しの風ふう格かくがあった。
My grandfather had the bearing of a true gentleman.

Kanji

紳sire, good belt, gentleman
士gentleman, scholar, samurai

Related words

殿との方がた
紳士 emphasizes refined manners and character, whereas 殿方 is simply a polite, gender-neutral way to refer to men, often used by service staff or women.
君くん子し
紳士 describes a Western-style gentleman known for manners and respectability, while 君子 refers to the Confucian ideal of moral cultivation.
フェミニスト
In its dated sense フェミニスト describes a man who is chivalrous toward women, close to the more general and neutral 紳士 (gentleman).
士しN2
紳士 refers to a modern, well-mannered gentleman, whereas 士 carries a more traditional or classical sense of a man of honor.

Opposites· 5

婦ふ人じんN3
紳士 refers to a refined, respectable man, while 婦人 refers to the female counterpart, a refined, respectable woman.
レディーN1
紳士 refers to a gentleman, the male counterpart to レディー, and the two are often paired together as in レディーアンドジェントルマン.
淑しゅく女じょ
紳士 refers to a refined, well-mannered man, serving as the male counterpart to 淑女, which refers to a refined woman.

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Counted with

人にん
紳士 is a person, so it is counted with 人 for a rough headcount.
名めいN2
紳士 can also be counted with the more formal 名, common in polite or written contexts such as reservations or announcements.

Word family· 11

紳しん士し服ふくN3
men's suits; menswear
紳しん士し用よう
for men; men's; gentlemen's
紳しん士し的てき
gentlemanly; well-mannered; well-bred
紳しん士し録ろく

Etymology

From Chinese 紳士 (shēnshì), originally referring to a scholar-official or a member of the gentry. The Japanese reading is on'yomi.

下げ種す

紳士 means a gentleman of refined, honorable character, the opposite of a 下種 who is crude and contemptible.

狼おおかみ

紳士 describes a well-mannered, trustworthy gentleman, the opposite of a predatory womanizer called 狼.

who's who; social register; directory of notable people

紳しん士し靴ぐつ

men's dress shoes; men's formal shoes

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紳しん士し風ふう
gentlemanly; gentlemanlike
老ろう紳しん士し
elderly gentleman; old gentleman
田舎いなか紳しん士し
country gentleman; squire
紳しん士し協きょう定てい
gentlemen's agreement
紳しん士し淑しゅく女じょ
ladies and gentlemen

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