xíngnán: 型男 - Stylish Man, Dapper Man, Metrosexual

• Keywords: xingnan, 型男, stylish man in Chinese, handsome Chinese man, Chinese fashion, metrosexual in Chinese, dapper man, what is a xingnan, Chinese male beauty standards, how to say stylish man in Chinese.
• Summary: 型男 (xíngnán) is a popular, modern Chinese term for a man who is not just handsome, but exceptionally stylish, well-groomed, and often has a great physique. More than just a “handsome guy” (帅哥, shuàigē), a 型男 is a trend-conscious individual who puts deliberate effort into his appearance, from his hair and clothes to his fitness. This entry explores the cultural significance of the 型男, how to use the term correctly in conversation, and how it reflects changing ideals of masculinity in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xíng nán
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A stylish, handsome, and well-groomed man.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine a man who looks like he could be on the cover of a fashion magazine. He's not just naturally good-looking; he's polished. His clothes fit perfectly, his hair is styled, and he clearly takes care of himself. This is the essence of a 型男. The term is a strong compliment that praises a man's sense of style, taste, and the effort he puts into his appearance.

• 型 (xíng): This character means “model,” “type,” “style,” or “mold.” Think of it as the 'style' in 'stylish' or the 'model' in 'role model'.
• 男 (nán): This character simply means “man” or “male.”
• The combination 型男 (xíngnán) literally translates to a “style-man” or “model-man,” perfectly capturing the idea of a man who is a model of modern style and appearance.

The concept of the 型男 emerged in the early 2000s, heavily influenced by pop culture from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. It marks a significant shift in East Asian masculinity, moving away from a more traditional, rugged ideal toward one that values grooming, fashion, and self-presentation. A useful Western comparison is the term “metrosexual,” but with a key difference. While “metrosexual” in English can sometimes carry a slightly clinical or even derogatory connotation, 型男 is almost exclusively a positive compliment and an aspirational goal. It's cool to be a 型男. It's less about a specific urban lifestyle and more about a universal aesthetic of being polished and put-together. Unlike the Western “hunk” or “jock,” which often emphasizes raw muscularity and athletic prowess, the 型男 ideal is about a curated physique and sophisticated taste. It's not about being the strongest guy in the room, but the best-dressed and most charismatic.

型男 is a highly common term in informal contexts, especially among younger generations.

• In Conversation: It's used as a strong compliment for a friend, celebrity, or even a stranger who is particularly well-dressed. “Wow, you look like a real 型男 today!”
• On Social Media: The hashtag #型男 is widespread on platforms like Weibo and Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), used to tag photos related to men's fashion, fitness, and grooming.
• In Media: Fashion magazines, TV shows, and advertisements frequently use the term to describe their target audience or the ideal they are promoting.

The term carries a very positive and admiring connotation. It is informal slang and would be out of place in a formal business meeting or academic paper.

• Example 1:
  • 他每天都去健身房，想成为一个型男。
  • Pinyin: Tā měitiān dōu qù jiànshēnfáng, xiǎng chéngwéi yí ge xíngnán.
  • English: He goes to the gym every day because he wants to become a stylish, fit man.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows that being a 型男 is often seen as an aspirational goal that requires effort (like going to the gym).
• Example 2:
  • 你今天穿这件外套，看起来真像个型男！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ jīntiān chuān zhè jiàn wàitào, kànqǐlái zhēn xiàng ge xíngnán!
  • English: Wearing this jacket today, you really look like a dapper man!
  • Analysis: A direct and very common way to use the term as a compliment.
• Example 3:
  • 这本杂志专门教你怎么打扮成型男。
  • Pinyin: Zhè běn zázhì zhuānmén jiāo nǐ zěnme dǎbàn chéng xíngnán.
  • English: This magazine specifically teaches you how to dress up like a stylish man.
  • Analysis: This highlights the term's connection to media and the “how-to” culture surrounding men's fashion.
• Example 4:
  • 那个电影明星不仅演技好，还是公认的型男。
  • Pinyin: Nàge diànyǐng míngxīng bùjǐn yǎnjì hǎo, háishì gōngrèn de xíngnán.
  • English: That movie star not only has good acting skills, he is also a widely recognized style icon.
  • Analysis: “公认的 (gōngrèn de)” means “publicly acknowledged,” showing how 型男 can be a recognized status.
• Example 5:
  • 我的男朋友不太在乎外表，他不是型男路线的。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de nánpéngyǒu bú tài zàihū wàibiǎo, tā bú shì xíngnán lùxiàn de.
  • English: My boyfriend doesn't care much about his appearance; he doesn't go the “stylish man” route.
  • Analysis: “路线 (lùxiàn)” means “route” or “path,” used here to mean a certain “style” or “type.” This shows how you can use the term to describe someone's personal style (or lack thereof).
• Example 6:
  • 街上那个男人穿得好有品味，绝对是个型男。
  • Pinyin: Jiē shàng nàge nánrén chuān de hǎo yǒu pǐnwèi, juéduì shì ge xíngnán.
  • English: That man on the street is dressed so tastefully; he is definitely a stylish man.
  • Analysis: This example connects 型男 to the concept of “品味 (pǐnwèi),” or good taste.
• Example 7:
  • 从一个普通男孩到型男的转变需要时间和精力。
  • Pinyin: Cóng yí ge pǔtōng nánhái dào xíngnán de zhuǎnbiàn xūyào shíjiān hé jīnglì.
  • English: The transformation from an ordinary guy to a stylish man requires time and energy.
  • Analysis: Reinforces the idea that being a 型男 is a result of conscious effort.
• Example 8:
  • 他是不是型男我不管，我只在乎他对我好不好。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì bú shì xíngnán wǒ bùguǎn, wǒ zhǐ zàihū tā duì wǒ hǎo bu hǎo.
  • English: I don't care if he's a stylish man or not, I only care if he is good to me.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 型男 to contrast appearance with personality, a common theme in discussions about relationships.
• Example 9:
  • 这家店的衣服都是型男必备的单品。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā diàn de yīfu dōu shì xíngnán bìbèi de dānpǐn.
  • English: The clothes at this shop are all essential items for a stylish man.
  • Analysis: “必备 (bìbèi)” means “essential” or “must-have.” This is typical marketing language you would see in China.
• Example 10:
  • 他努力把自己打造成一个成熟稳重的型男形象。
  • Pinyin: Tā nǔlì bǎ zìjǐ dǎzào chéng yí ge chéngshú wěnzhòng de xíngnán xíngxiàng.
  • English: He works hard to build an image of a mature, steady, and stylish man.
  • Analysis: This shows that 型男 can be combined with other adjectives like “mature and steady (成熟稳重)” to describe a specific type of stylish man.

• 型男 (xíngnán) vs. 帅哥 (shuàigē): This is the most common point of confusion.
  • 帅哥 (shuàigē) just means “handsome guy.” It can be used for any good-looking man. It's also used very casually as a generic term to address any young man, like saying “excuse me, sir.”
  • 型男 is much more specific. A man can be a 帅哥 without being a 型男 (e.g., he's naturally handsome but dresses poorly). A 型男 is almost always also a 帅哥, but the emphasis is on his curated style, not just his natural features.
• Formality: Do not use 型男 in a formal or professional context. It is slang. Stick to more neutral terms like 先生 (xiānsheng) for “Mister” or describing someone as 衣着得体 (yīzhuó détǐ) - “appropriately dressed.”
• Not About Sexuality: The term 型男, much like its Western counterpart “metrosexual,” describes a man's aesthetic choices and attention to grooming. It has no inherent implication about his sexual orientation.

• 帅哥 (shuàigē) - A handsome guy. A much more general and common term.
• 潮男 (cháonán) - A “trendy guy.” This person is specifically focused on the latest, often streetwear, fashion trends. A 潮男 is a type of 型男, but not all 型男 are 潮男 (e.g., a man in a classic, dapper suit is a 型男 but not a 潮男).
• 暖男 (nuǎnnán) - A “warm guy.” Describes a man's personality—caring, thoughtful, and considerate. A man can be both a 型男 and a 暖男, combining good looks with a kind heart.
• 小鲜肉 (xiǎo xiān ròu) - “Little fresh meat.” A popular term for young, handsome, often boyish male celebrities. This term emphasizes youth and beauty, whereas 型男 emphasizes style, which can apply to men of all ages.
• 花美男 (huā měi nán) - “Flower-beautiful man.” A man with delicate, fine, and sometimes androgynous good looks, common in K-dramas and J-dramas. This describes a specific facial aesthetic.
• 猛男 (měngnán) - “Fierce/buff man.” A very muscular, macho man. Often seen as the aesthetic opposite of a 花美男 and distinct from a 型男, as the focus is on raw muscle over refined style.
• 有型 (yǒu xíng) - To have style; stylish (adjective). You can say a 型男 is very 有型.
• 品味 (pǐnwèi) - (Good) taste. A key quality of every 型男 is having good 品味 in fashion and lifestyle.
• 时尚 (shíshàng) - Fashion; fashionable. The world that a 型男 is interested in.