<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E7%A7%80%E6%B0%94" rel="nofollow noreferrer">秀气</a></p>
<p>基本解释:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>样子清秀 (elegant appearance)</p>
</li>
<li><p>言谈文雅,举止优美 (elegant demeanor)</p>
</li>
<li><p>(器物）小巧灵便 (elegant, exquisite object)</p>
</li>
<li><p>灵秀之气 (elegant feel)；秀美(elegant)。小巧而清秀 (delicate)</p>
</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<p>(1) and (2) definition are mostly used to describe people</p>
<p>(3) definition said it can be used to describe 器物 (object)</p>
<p>Example:</p>
<p><em>秀气的刺繡  (delicate embroidery)</em></p>
<p><em>秀气的雕塑  (delicate sculpture)</em></p>
<p>(4) definition said it describes something that emit delicate, elegant or graceful feel</p>
<p>Example:</p>
<p><em>秀氣的山水 = 山明水秀 (exquisite landscape)</em></p>
<p><em>秀气的文章 (elegantly written article)</em></p>
<p><em>寫得一手秀氣的字 (able to write elegant hand written words)</em></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-30T19:24:54.507Z
2018-09-30T19:40:09.220Z
2020-06-17T09:50:11.587Z
Tang Ho
<p>I also heard that it is usually used to describe people; however, it does seem possible to describe inanimate objects - such as wristwatches - using 秀气（according to Pleco, at least):</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/5u5rI.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/5u5rI.jpg" alt="pleco definition for 秀气"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-30T19:29:00.330Z
2018-09-30T19:29:00.330Z
julian
<p>So there are 3 main translations for 秀气:</p>

<ol>
<li>Delicate   </li>
<li>Elegant   </li>
<li>Graceful</li>
</ol>

<p>Which makes it seem like it could be used to describe really anything--
However I have a friend who is saying that it is normally used only to describe people.</p>

<p>Is it not an adjective I could use to describe non-people-- like an elegant wristwatch?</p>

<usage>
Can "秀气" be used to describe objects that aren't people?
# Can "秀气" be used to describe objects that aren't people?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-09-30)

So there are 3 main translations for 秀气:

1. Delicate
2. Elegant
3. Graceful

Which makes it seem like it could be used to describe really anything--
However I have a friend who is saying that it is normally used only to describe people.

Is it not an adjective I could use to describe non-people-- like an elegant wristwatch?

**Tags:** usage


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-09-30. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

> [秀气](https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E7%A7%80%E6%B0%94)
>
> 基本解释:
>
> 1. 样子清秀 (elegant appearance)
> 2. 言谈文雅,举止优美 (elegant demeanor)
> 3. (器物）小巧灵便 (elegant, exquisite object)
> 4. 灵秀之气 (elegant feel)；秀美(elegant)。小巧而清秀 (delicate)

(1) and (2) definition are mostly used to describe people

(3) definition said it can be used to describe 器物 (object)

Example:

*秀气的刺繡 (delicate embroidery)*

*秀气的雕塑 (delicate sculpture)*

(4) definition said it describes something that emit delicate, elegant or graceful feel

Example:

*秀氣的山水 = 山明水秀 (exquisite landscape)*

*秀气的文章 (elegantly written article)*

*寫得一手秀氣的字 (able to write elegant hand written words)*


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### Answer by username_2 on 2018-09-30. Score: 0

I also heard that it is usually used to describe people; however, it does seem possible to describe inanimate objects - such as wristwatches - using 秀气（according to Pleco, at least):

[![pleco definition for 秀气](https://i.sstatic.net/5u5rI.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/5u5rI.jpg)


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