‘脱俗’ literally means ‘to shed vulgarity’ — ‘脱’ (tuō) means ‘to remove, shed, or transcend’, and ‘俗’ (sú) means ‘vulgar, common, or worldly’. Together, they describe a refined, elevated quality that rises above ordinary, mundane, or overly conventional tastes. It’s often used to praise art, poetry, personal style, or demeanor that feels unusually elegant, serene, or spiritually uncluttered.

This term carries a classical, literary flavor and appears frequently in critiques of calligraphy, painting, music, or character description — especially when someone’s conduct or aesthetic choices reflect quiet confidence, originality, and inner cultivation rather than trend-following or ostentation. While it can describe people, it’s more commonly applied to artistic works or abstract qualities like ‘气韵’ (qì yùn, spirit-resonance). It implies intentional refinement, not mere simplicity or eccentricity.