朴素

pǔ sù

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 6 Adjective Rare

Save to list

Definitions

1. plain and simple
2. unadorned
3. simple living
4. not frivolous

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Start Free Trial $9.99 / year

Lifetime for $19.99 Try the 30-second demo

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 华丽 huá lì 华丽 huá lì gorgeous 华丽 means splendid and ornate, opposite of 朴素.: gorgeous

Register variants

1 item

• 简朴 jiǎn pǔ 简朴 jiǎn pǔ simple and unadorned 简朴 is more formal/literary for simple and frugal living.: simple and unadorned

Related words

1 item

• 奢侈 shē chǐ 奢侈 shē chǐ luxurious 奢侈 means luxurious, often contrasted with 朴素.: luxurious

Synonyms

1 item

• 朴实 pǔ shí 朴实 pǔ shí plain Both describe simplicity and lack of decoration; 朴素 often refers to lifestyle or appearance, 朴实 to honest and plain character.: plain

Usage notes

Collocations

朴素 commonly describes clothing, decoration, lifestyle, or style (e.g., 穿着朴素, 生活朴素). Avoid using for abstract concepts like 'simple idea'—use 简单.

Example Sentences

1 shown

她穿着 朴素 ，但很整洁。

She is dressed plainly, but very neatly.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 朴素

• 勤俭朴素 勤俭朴素 qín jiǎn pǔ sù: hardworking, thrifty, plain, and simple (idiom)
• 艰苦朴素 艰苦朴素 jiān kǔ pǔ sù: leading a plain, hardworking life (idiom)

Child Words of 朴素

• 素 素 sù: raw silk
• 朴 朴 pò: Celtis sinensis var. japonica
• 朴 朴 pǔ: plain and simple