1.
gentleman; man of refined manners
A man who behaves with courtesy, dignity, and good manners. Also used more broadly to refer to men in formal or polite contexts.
紳士 means gentleman — a man of refined manners and dignity. It is used both as a character description and as a formal term for "men" in commercial contexts.
Compounds
- 紳士的: gentlemanly (na-adjective)
- 紳士服: menswear
- 紳士協定: gentleman's agreement
- 紳士用品: men's accessories/goods
Pair word
淑女 (lady). The formal address 紳士淑女の皆さま means "ladies and gentlemen."
Usage
In department stores, 紳士 is the standard label for men's sections (紳士服フロア = menswear floor), parallel to 婦人 (women's). As a character description, 紳士 implies courtesy, respectability, and good manners.