genteel
含义: Polite, refined, and respectable, often in a manner that is excessively concerned with propriety or social appearances.
Genteel occupies an ambiguous position between compliment and criticism. It can describe genuine refinement and good breeding, but more often carries a faintly mocking tone, suggesting an anxious preoccupation with respectability or a threadbare gentility that masks declining fortunes. The phrase 'genteel poverty' captures this perfectly — maintaining appearances despite reduced circumstances. In British social commentary, it often describes lower middle-class aspirations. It collocates with 'genteel poverty', 'genteel suburb', 'genteel respectability', and 'genteel pretensions'.
例句
- The seaside town retains a genteel charm, with its Victorian bandstand, bowling green, and tearoom overlooking the promenade. 这座海滨小镇保留着文雅的魅力,拥有维多利亚时代的音乐台、草地保龄球场和俯瞰海滨长廊的茶室。La localidad costera conserva un encanto gentil, con su quiosco de música victoriano, campo de bolos y salón de té con vistas al paseo marítimo.その海辺の町はヴィクトリア朝の野外音楽堂、ボウリンググリーン、遊歩道を見渡すティールームとともに、上品な魅力を保っている。그 해변 마을은 빅토리아 시대의 야외 음악당, 잔디 볼링장, 해변 산책로가 내려다보이는 찻집과 함께 품위 있는 매력을 간직하고 있다.
- She lived in a state of genteel poverty, maintaining the appearance of comfort in her crumbling Georgian townhouse whilst quietly selling off the family silver. 她过着体面的贫穷生活,在摇摇欲坠的乔治亚联排别墅中维持着舒适的表象,同时悄悄变卖家族银器。Vivía en un estado de pobreza gentil, manteniendo la apariencia de bienestar en su ruinosa casa georgiana mientras vendía discretamente la platería familiar.彼女は崩れかけたジョージア様式のタウンハウスで快適さの外観を保ちながら、家族の銀食器をひそかに売りつつ、上品な貧困の中で暮らしていた。그녀는 허물어져 가는 조지아 양식의 타운하우스에서 안락한 외관을 유지하면서 가문의 은식기를 은밀히 팔아가며, 품위 있는 가난 속에서 살았다.
- The genteel propriety of the drawing-room comedy masked a savage critique of the hypocrisy lurking beneath middle-class respectability. 客厅喜剧文雅得体的外表下掩藏着对潜伏在中产阶级体面之下的虚伪的尖刻批判。La gentil corrección de la comedia de salón enmascaraba una crítica feroz de la hipocresía latente bajo la respetabilidad burguesa.応接間喜劇の上品な礼節の裏には、中産階級の体面の下に潜む偽善に対する痛烈な批判が隠されていた。거실 희극의 품위 있는 예절 이면에는 중산층 체면 아래 도사린 위선에 대한 신랄한 비판이 숨어 있었다.
发音
用法指南
语境: literary, media, cultural
语气: ironic
起源与历史
From French gentil meaning 'well-born, noble,' from Latin gentilis meaning 'of the same clan.' In English, the word shifted from 'well-born' to 'affectedly refined' by the 18th century, acquiring its faintly ironic modern sense.
文化背景
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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