ladylike

ladylike — 形容詞

1. describing behavior, appearance, or manners that follow older, traditional expec

1.形容詞B2
釋義

端莊有禮

舉止優雅有教養，符合傳統對女性的行為期待

describing behavior, appearance, or manners that follow older, traditional expectations of how a woman should act — with politeness, quietness, and a calm sense of dignity.

例句

Aoi's grandmother taught her a ladylike posture — back straight, hands folded.

Aoi 的祖母教她端莊的坐姿——背部挺直，雙手交疊。

collocation: ladylike posture / ladylike manners

The old etiquette manual described ladylike conduct as speaking softly and never interrupting others.

那本舊禮儀手冊描述的淑女風範是輕聲細語、從不打斷別人說話。

subject: etiquette manual + describing ladylike conduct

同義詞
  • refined

    focuses on cultured elegance without the gender-specific expectation that ladylike carries

  • graceful

    emphasizes physical poise and ease of movement; applies to anyone, not just women

  • dignified

    stresses calm, serious self-respect; usable for any gender or situation

  • elegant

    highlights stylish, tasteful appearance or manners; broader and more modern than ladylike

反義詞
  • unladylike

    direct opposite, but carries the same old-fashioned gender assumptions

文法句型

ladylike + noun

be + ladylike

find + object + ladylike

consider + object + ladylike

用法筆記

This word is tied to older, traditional ideas about how women should behave. In modern English, calling a woman or girl 'ladylike' — or telling her that something is 'not ladylike' — can sound old-fashioned or sexist. It is less likely to cause offense when applied to one's own preferences ('She likes ladylike clothing') than when used to judge or correct someone else's behavior. Younger speakers in particular often use the word with irony or avoid it altogether.

常見錯誤

❌Don't laugh so loudly — it's not ladylike.
✅Please keep your voice down a little
💡we're in a library.' — using 'ladylike' to criticize behavior imposes a gendered standard that can feel unfair; it is better to give a neutral, gender-free reason.