汉服
hànfú
Hanfu is the English term for the Chinese word 汉服 (hànfú), which refers to traditional Chinese attire.
The term 汉服 is used to describe the historical clothing styles of the Han people. It is often used in the context of the 'Hanfu Movement,' a cultural revival movement focused on wearing and promoting traditional Han clothing.
Meaning: traditional Chinese attire (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 汉服 is composed of 汉 (hàn), referring to the Han ethnicity and 服 (fú), meaning clothing or attire.
How do you pronounce it?
hànfú
Did you know?
- Traditional 汉服 is designed with a philosophy of 'roundness' and 'squareness'. The sleeves are often wide and rounded to represent heaven, while the collar and body lines reflect the terrestrial square, embodying the ancient Chinese concept of 'heaven and earth'.
- The word 服 (fú) is used in 汉服, but it also appears in the word for 'obedience' or 'submission', 服从 (fúcóng). This reflects an ancient cultural link between the way a person dresses and their adherence to social hierarchy and ritual.
- Depending on the dynasty, 汉服 dictates a strict code of colors. For example, during certain eras, yellow was reserved exclusively for the emperor, and wearing it as a commoner could be considered a crime.
Examples in context
- 我对中国传统服装，汉服（hàn fú）非常着迷。I am very fascinated by traditional Chinese clothing, specifically Hanfu.
- 这件汉服很漂亮。Zhè jiàn hànfú hěn piàoliang.This hanfu is very beautiful.
- 她穿着一套汉服。Tā chuānzhe yí tào hànfú.She is wearing a set of hanfu.
- 我想买一件汉服。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yí jiàn hànfú.I want to buy a hanfu.
Example conversation
At a traditional culture festival.
- 志强 Zhiqiang晓雯，你的汉服真好看！Xiǎowén, nǐ de hànfú zhēn hǎokàn!Xiaowen, your hanfu looks really good!
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢，这是我昨天买的。Xièxie, zhè shì wǒ zuótiān mǎi de.Thank you, I bought this yesterday.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这件汉服的颜色很特别。Zhè jiàn hànfú de yánsè hěn tèbié.The color of this hanfu is very special.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我也很喜欢这个颜色。Wǒ yě hěn xǐhuān zhège yánsè.I like this color a lot too.
