形神兼备
xíng shén jiān bèi
capturing both outward likeness and inner spirit
Character by character
形xíng
form
form
神shén
spirit
spirit
兼jiān
both
both
备bèi
have
have
Example
这尊雕像形神兼备，老人那份慈祥仿佛就在眼前。
The statue captures both the look and the spirit of its subject; the old man’s kindliness seems to be right there before you.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
A key term of Chinese art criticism: 形 is the outward likeness, 神 the spirit or character behind it; critics have long ranked 神 above 形, so having both is high praise. Said of painting, sculpture, calligraphy, acting and even translation.
Learn this in Lesson 237 · HSK 9+: 苏绣 (Suzhou embroidery)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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