xióngwěi: 雄伟 - Majestic, Grand, Imposing

• Keywords: xiongwei, 雄伟, Chinese for majestic, grand, imposing, xióngwěi meaning, how to use xiongwei, magnificent Chinese architecture, describing landscapes in Chinese, HSK 5 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 雄伟 (xióngwěi), a powerful Chinese adjective used to describe things that are majestic, grand, and imposing. This page breaks down the characters, explores cultural context, and provides numerous example sentences for describing everything from the Great Wall of China to grand, modern skyscrapers. Master 雄伟 to express awe for magnificent structures and landscapes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xióngwěi
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: Describes something, typically a structure or natural landscape, as grand, majestic, and awe-inspiring due to its large scale and power.
• In a Nutshell: 雄伟 (xióngwěi) is the word you reach for when you're standing in front of something so big and impressive it takes your breath away. Think of mountains, massive ancient temples, or soaring skyscrapers. It conveys a sense of power, grandeur, and solid, imposing presence. It’s less about delicate beauty and more about awe-inspiring scale.

• 雄 (xióng): The original meaning is “male” (as in a male animal). From this, it extends to mean “powerful,” “heroic,” “strong,” and “grand.” The character contains the radical 隹 (zhuī), which means “short-tailed bird,” often associated with masculine or powerful concepts in character formations.
• 伟 (wěi): This character means “great,” “mighty,” or “robust.” It's composed of the person radical 亻(rén) on the left and 韦 (wéi) on the right, which provides the sound and hints at something unique or different. It's the same “wěi” in 伟大 (wěidà - great).

When combined, 雄伟 (xióngwěi) literally means “powerful-great” or “heroic-mighty.” This fusion creates a vivid image of not just size, but of powerful, awe-inspiring grandeur.

The concept of 雄伟 (xióngwěi) is deeply tied to China's geography and history. China is a land of vast, dramatic landscapes like the Himalayas, the Yellow Mountains (黄山), and the Yangtze River (长江). It is also home to some of humanity's most ambitious and large-scale architectural feats, such as the Great Wall (长城), the Forbidden City (故宫), and the Three Gorges Dam (三峡大坝). The term 雄伟 is frequently used to express a sense of national pride and historical weight associated with these landmarks. It captures the spirit of human ambition and the power of nature that has shaped Chinese civilization for millennia. A Westerner might use “majestic” or “grand” to describe a scene like the Grand Canyon or a large cathedral. While similar, 雄伟 often carries a stronger feeling of power and imposing scale. “Grand” can sometimes describe a fancy, ornate ballroom, but 雄伟 would be inappropriate in that context. 雄伟 is reserved for things that impress you with their sheer size, strength, and presence, evoking a feeling of respect and awe. It's the difference between a “grand” plan and a “majestic” mountain range—雄伟 captures the latter perfectly.

雄伟 (xióngwěi) is a fairly formal and literary adjective. It is primarily used in the following contexts:

• Describing Architecture and Structures: This is its most common use. It's perfect for describing famous landmarks, skyscrapers, bridges, monuments, and dams.
  • e.g., The Great Wall, the Shanghai Tower, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
• Describing Natural Scenery: It is used for large, imposing natural features.
  • e.g., Mountain ranges, vast rivers, towering cliffs.
• Metaphorical and Abstract Usage: Less common but still valid, it can describe abstract concepts that have a sense of grandeur and scale.
  • e.g., A grand piece of music (雄伟的乐章), a magnificent ambition (雄伟的抱负), a grand plan (雄伟的蓝图).

Its connotation is almost always positive, expressing admiration and awe. You would not use it in casual, everyday conversation to describe something like a nice house or a big car; it's reserved for things that are truly impressive on a massive scale.

• Example 1:
  • 长城是多么雄伟的建筑啊！
  • Pinyin: Chángchéng shì duōme xióngwěi de jiànzhù a!
  • English: The Great Wall is such a majestic piece of architecture!
  • Analysis: A classic example of using 雄伟 to describe a world-famous, massive man-made structure. The particle 啊 (a) at the end adds a tone of exclamation and wonder.
• Example 2:
  • 我们站在山顶，被眼前雄伟的景色震撼了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhàn zài shāndǐng, bèi yǎnqián xióngwěi de jǐngsè zhènhàn le.
  • English: Standing on the mountain top, we were stunned by the majestic scenery before our eyes.
  • Analysis: Here, 雄伟 describes a natural landscape. The verb 震撼 (zhènhàn - to stun/shock) is often paired with 雄伟 to emphasize the feeling of being overwhelmed by the grandeur.
• Example 3:
  • 这座跨海大桥看起来非常雄伟。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zuò kuà hǎi dàqiáo kànqǐlái fēicháng xióngwěi.
  • English: This cross-sea bridge looks extremely grand and imposing.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 雄伟 for modern engineering marvels. 非常 (fēicháng - extremely) is used to intensify the adjective.
• Example 4:
  • 浦东的摩天大楼构成了一幅雄伟的城市天际线。
  • Pinyin: Pǔdōng de mótiān dàlóu gòuchéng le yī fú xióngwěi de chéngshì tiānjìxiàn.
  • English: The skyscrapers in Pudong form a majestic city skyline.
  • Analysis: This sentence applies 雄伟 to a collection of buildings that, together, create an imposing and grand view.
• Example 5:
  • 贝多芬的第五交响曲以其雄伟的开场而闻名。
  • Pinyin: Bèiduōfēn de dì wǔ jiāoxiǎngqǔ yǐ qí xióngwěi de kāichǎng ér wénmíng.
  • English: Beethoven's 5th Symphony is famous for its majestic opening.
  • Analysis: A metaphorical use of 雄伟. It describes the sound of the music as powerful, grand, and awe-inspiring, much like a physical structure.
• Example 6:
  • 这位领导人提出了一个实现国家复兴的雄伟蓝图。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi lǐngdǎorén tíchū le yī gè shíxiàn guójiā fùxīng de xióngwěi lántú.
  • English: This leader put forward a grand blueprint for achieving national rejuvenation.
  • Analysis: Another abstract use. 雄伟的蓝图 (xióngwěi de lántú) means a “grand blueprint” or an ambitious, large-scale plan.
• Example 7:
  • 三峡大坝工程雄伟壮观，是人类智慧的结晶。
  • Pinyin: Sānxiá Dàbà gōngchéng xióngwěi zhuàngguān, shì rénlèi zhìhuì de jiéjīng.
  • English: The Three Gorges Dam project is majestic and spectacular; it is the crystallization of human wisdom.
  • Analysis: This sentence pairs 雄伟 with 壮观 (zhuàngguān - spectacular), a common combination that reinforces the visual and impressive nature of the subject.
• Example 8:
  • 那座雄伟的纪念碑是为了纪念战争英雄而建立的。
  • Pinyin: Nà zuò xióngwěi de jìniànbēi shì wèile jìniàn zhànzhēng yīngxióng ér jiànlì de.
  • English: That imposing monument was built to commemorate the war heroes.
  • Analysis: Shows 雄伟 used for a monument, linking the grandeur of the structure with the heroic theme it represents.
• Example 9:
  • 当我们走进兵马俑坑时，立刻被那雄伟的军队阵势所吸引。
  • Pinyin: Dāng wǒmen zǒujìn bīngmǎyǒng kēng shí, lìkè bèi nà xióngwěi de jūnduì zhènshì suǒ xīyǐn.
  • English: When we walked into the Terracotta Army pit, we were immediately captivated by the imposing military formation.
  • Analysis: Here, 雄伟 describes the overall impression of an army formation, conveying its power, scale, and discipline.
• Example 10:
  • 他心中有一个雄伟的抱负，那就是改变世界。
  • Pinyin: Tā xīnzhōng yǒu yī gè xióngwěi de bàofù, nà jiùshì gǎibiàn shìjiè.
  • English: He has a grand ambition in his heart, which is to change the world.
  • Analysis: An example of 雄伟的抱负 (xióngwěi de bàofù), meaning a “grand ambition.” This highlights its use for large, far-reaching personal or societal goals.

• Don't use it for people: A very common mistake for learners is to use 雄伟 to describe a person. You cannot say a person is `雄伟`. While 雄 means “male” and 伟 can be in names, the combination 雄伟 is reserved for inanimate objects, landscapes, or abstract concepts. To describe a person as tall and well-built, you should use 高大 (gāodà) or, more formally, 魁梧 (kuíwú).
  • Incorrect: 他是一个很雄伟的男人。(Tā shì yī gè hěn xióngwěi de nánrén.)
  • Correct: 他是一个很高大的男人。(Tā shì yī gè hěn gāodà de nánrén.)
• 雄伟 (xióngwěi) vs. 宏伟 (hóngwěi): These two are very close synonyms. 雄伟 tends to emphasize imposing power and scale, often used for physical things you can see (mountains, buildings). 宏伟 (hóngwěi) can also be used for these, but it is slightly more likely to be used for grand plans, undertakings, or concepts (e.g., a “grand cause” - 宏伟的事业). The difference is subtle, and they are often interchangeable.
• 雄伟 (xióngwěi) vs. 壮观 (zhuàngguān): 雄伟 describes the inherent quality of being grand and imposing. 壮观 (zhuàngguān) means “spectacular” and describes the view or sight itself. A mountain is 雄伟 (inherently majestic), and the view of the mountain is 壮观 (a spectacular sight). They are often used together, as in `雄伟壮观`, to give a complete picture.

• 宏伟 (hóngwěi) - A very close synonym, also meaning “grand” or “magnificent,” but slightly more common for abstract plans and undertakings.
• 壮观 (zhuàngguān) - “Spectacular (of a view).” Describes the sight, while 雄伟 describes the object itself.
• 伟大 (wěidà) - “Great.” Shares the character 伟. 伟大 is typically used for people (a great leader), achievements (a great invention), or eras.
• 高大 (gāodà) - “Tall and big.” A more neutral, descriptive term for buildings or people. It lacks the sense of “awe” that 雄伟 carries.
• 巍峨 (wēi'é) - A more literary and poetic synonym, almost exclusively used for towering mountains or very tall, imposing buildings.
• 壮丽 (zhuànglì) - “Magnificent,” “splendid.” Often used for landscapes or scenery, emphasizing both beauty and grandeur.
• 气势 (qìshì) - “Imposing manner,” “momentum.” A 雄伟 building is said to have great 气势.
• 英雄 (yīngxióng) - “Hero.” Shares the character 雄, reminding us of the link between grandeur, power, and heroism.