帅

• Pinyin: shuài
• Hanzi breakdown: 帅 = simplified from 帥, with 巾 (cloth) on the left and a phonetic component

Meaning

Handsome; good-looking; cool. Used to describe an attractive male appearance or a stylish action.

Primarily used to describe a man's attractive appearance. In modern colloquial Chinese, also used to describe cool or impressive actions regardless of gender. One of the most common compliments for men in daily conversation.

Examples

1. 你今天穿得真帅！ You look really handsome today!
2. 很多女生都觉得那个男演员特别帅。 A lot of girls think that actor is especially handsome.
3. 他刚才那个进球太帅了。 That goal he just scored was so cool.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, compliments

Tone: enthusiastic

Do Say

• 你男朋友长得挺帅的。(Your boyfriend is quite handsome.)
• 这个动作做得真帅！(That move was so cool!)

Don't Say

• 这位女士很帅。(Don't typically use 帅 for women's beauty — use 漂亮 or 美. Though 帅 can describe a woman's cool demeanour, it is not standard for appearance.)

Origin & History

Originally meant a military commander or leader. The meaning shifted over time to describe someone commanding in appearance, eventually becoming a common word for handsome.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal