慈祥 cíxiáng kindly
kindly; benevolent (often of older person)
How to remember 慈祥: 慈 gentle + 祥 happiness = kindly.
Characters
How it is used
- Kindly and gentle, specifically the warm, benevolent air of an elder - 慈祥的老奶奶 (cíxiáng de lǎo nǎinai) a kindly old grandmother.
- Reserved for the loving-elder look; you wouldn't call a child or peer 慈祥. Describes face, smile, eyes: 慈祥的目光 (cíxiáng de mùguāng) a kindly gaze.
- Contrast 善良 (shànliáng, kind-hearted, any age) - 慈祥 adds age and gentle warmth.