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朴素

pǔ sù
HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 6 Adjective Rare

Definitions

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

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item
华丽
huá lì

gorgeous

华丽 means splendid and ornate, opposite of 朴素.

Register variants

1 item
简朴
jiǎn pǔ

simple and unadorned

简朴 is more formal/literary for simple and frugal living.

Related words

1 item
奢侈
shē chǐ

luxurious

奢侈 means luxurious, often contrasted with 朴素.

Synonyms

1 item
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.

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
qín jiǎn pǔ sù

hardworking, thrifty, plain, and simple (idiom)

艰苦朴素
jiān kǔ pǔ sù

leading a plain, hardworking life (idiom)

Child Words of 朴素

素
sù

raw silk

朴
pò

Celtis sinensis var. japonica

朴
pǔ

plain and simple