大气 vs 大方

English translation: classy

01:31 Aug 25, 2012
Chinese to English translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / 大气
Chinese term or phrase: 大气 vs 大方
大气 used to describe a product label, a car, interior decoration or anything but not a person.

Is it similar to "大方"?
karcsy
Local time: 22:04
English translation:classy
Explanation:
This is one of the really difficult words. I hit the thesaurus (personally I like freethesaurus.net). I don't think there's a single word in English which covers all the meanings of 大气. Here are some possibilities:

bold
memorable
generous
engaging
authoritative
charismatic
powerful
strong
Selected response from:

Phil Hand
China
Local time: 22:04
Grading comment
Thanks for your numerous suggestions!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +1classy
Phil Hand
3建议
Shang
3大气 universal vs 大方refined
Vladyslav Golovaty
3grandeur vs gracious
pkchan


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
建议


Explanation:
大气指的是空间大/宽敞:spacious/roomy
大方指的是内部设计美观、有品味:elegant/in good taste

Shang
China
Local time: 22:04
Works in field
Native speaker of: Chinese
PRO pts in category: 12
Notes to answerer
Asker: How should it be translated if they were used to describe product labels such as those used in shampoos, toothpastes, etc.

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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
大气 universal vs 大方refined


Explanation:
大方refined, tasteful
大气 universal, complete, general
pick up any :-)

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Note added at 13 hrs (2012-08-25 15:10:57 GMT)
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To add to Wing Chan's "decent", 大方 could have 3 shades of meaning:
1) lavish, broad (e.g., about personality)
2) casual, laid-back, loose, easy
3) exquisite, elegant, sophisticated, with taste



Vladyslav Golovaty
Ukraine
Local time: 16:04
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in RussianRussian
PRO pts in category: 4
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15 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
classy


Explanation:
This is one of the really difficult words. I hit the thesaurus (personally I like freethesaurus.net). I don't think there's a single word in English which covers all the meanings of 大气. Here are some possibilities:

bold
memorable
generous
engaging
authoritative
charismatic
powerful
strong


Phil Hand
China
Local time: 22:04
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 48
Grading comment
Thanks for your numerous suggestions!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Rita Pang: Yes, depends on OP's following noun. Take your pick!
2 days 10 hrs
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1 day 12 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
grandeur vs gracious


Explanation:
大气=grandeur
大方=gracious

pkchan
United States
Local time: 10:04
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 68
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