性感
xìnggǎn/ɕiŋ⁵¹ kän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/
The English word 'sensual' is translated into Mandarin as 性感 (xìnggǎn).
While it can mean 'sensual' in a broad sense, it is most commonly used to describe a person as 'sexy' or having a 'sexy' aura.
Meaning: inducing pleasurable or erotic sensations (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 性 (xìng), meaning 'sex' or 'nature' and 感 (gǎn), meaning 'feeling' or 'sense'.
Which one should you use?
性感 (xìnggǎn) focuses on an attractive, erotic quality, whereas 妩媚 (wǔmèi) is often used to describe a more specific type of feminine, seductive or charming grace.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because 性感 is an adjective, you typically use the adverb 很 (hěn) instead of the verb 是 (shì) to say someone is 'sensual'.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is xìnggǎn and the IPA is /ɕiŋ⁵¹ kän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/.
Did you know?
- In modern digital circles, 性感 (xìnggǎn) is occasionally used ironically to describe non-human items, such as a 'sexy' piece of software code, to highlight its sleekness or elegance.
- Classical Chinese poetry avoided adjectives like 性感 (xìnggǎn) and instead used specific imagery, such as 'willow waists', to convey sensual beauty.
- While 'sexy' is common in Western casual workplaces, calling a colleague 性感 (xìnggǎn) in a Chinese professional setting is much more likely to be viewed as harassment.
Examples in context
- 她有一种性感的魅力。(Tā yǒu yī zhǒng xìnggǎn de mèilì.)She has a kind of sensual charm.
- 她的舞姿妖娆而充满魅力。(Tā de wǔzī yāoráo ér chōngmǎn mèilì.)Her dance moves are enchanting and full of sensuality.
- 他的眼神总是那样撩人。(Tā de yǎnshén zǒngshì nàyàng liāorén.)His gaze is always so sensual.
- 她的舞姿非常性感。Tā de wǔzī fēicháng xìnggǎn.Her dance moves are very sensual.
- 这种香水闻起来很性感。Zhè zhǒng xiāngshuǐ wén qǐlái hěn xìnggǎn.This perfume smells very sensual.
Example conversation
At a boutique clothing store.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，你觉得这件裙子性感吗？Hàorán, nǐ juéde zhè jiàn qúnzi xìnggǎn ma?Haoran, do you think this dress is sensual?
- 浩然 Haoran我觉得这件看起来很性感。Wǒ juéde zhè jiàn kàn qǐlái hěn xìnggǎn.I think this one looks very sensual.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我就买这件吧。Nà wǒ jiù mǎi zhè jiàn ba.Then I will buy this one.
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡穿上一定会很好看。Jiāyí chuān shàng yīdìng huì hěn hǎokàn.You will definitely look great in it, Jiayi.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 性感, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
