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March 24, 2026
形容xíngróng(xing2rong2)
形容 (xíngróng) refers to the act of describing or the depiction of an object's appearance or characteristics. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to convey how something looks or to provide a detailed description in various contexts, such as literature, art, and daily conversations.
Frequency#3405DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the ability to accurately describe or portray something is highly valued, especially in literature and art. 形容 is often used in poetry and prose to evoke emotions and create imagery, reflecting the importance of aesthetics in Chinese artistic expressions.
Memory Tip
Think of 形 (xíng) as a 'form' or 'shape', representing the external appearance, while 容 (róng) suggests 'contain' or 'hold', as in holding a description. Imagine painting a vivid picture in your mind, capturing the shape and form of what you're describing.
Meanings of 形容
xíngróng(xing2rong2)
1to describe
2description
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About 形容
形容Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3405Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 形容
Podcast: 形容
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AI Study Notes for 形容
Quick Contrast
描述 (miáoshù) vs 形容 (xíngróng): use 描述 for a more general or detailed account, while 形容 focuses specifically on appearance or characteristics.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 形 (xíng) as a 'form' or 'shape', representing the external appearance, while 容 (róng) suggests 'contain' or 'hold', as in holding a description. Imagine painting a vivid picture in your mind, capturing the shape and form of what you're describing.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 形容 with similar terms like 描述 (miáoshù), which means 'to describe' but emphasizes the act rather than the content. This word is often used in formal contexts, so ensure your tone matches the situation, especially in written communication. Common collocations include 形容词 (xíngróngcí), meaning 'adjective', which directly relates to the act of describing.
HSK Study Tips
As a level 5 HSK word, 形容 connects well with other descriptive terms and adjectives, which are essential for building vocabulary around characterization. Focus on using 形容 in sentences to describe people, places, or objects to reinforce its practical application in conversation.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the ability to accurately describe or portray something is highly valued, especially in literature and art. 形容 is often used in poetry and prose to evoke emotions and create imagery, reflecting the importance of aesthetics in Chinese artistic expressions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 形容 with 描述, using them interchangeably. For instance, saying '我描述这个地方很美' instead of '我形容这个地方很美' is incorrect, as it does not convey the focus on appearance.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 形容
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Grammar Patterns of 形容
形容 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Abraham Maslow described psychology as "the science of being."
10
他的话引起了除埃莉诺以外所有人的无可形容的震惊的反响.
tā de huà yǐn qǐ le chú āi lì nuò yǐ wài suǒ yǒu rén de wú kě xíng róng de zhèn jīng de fǎn xiǎng.
His words were echoed with unspeakable astonishment by all but Elinor.
Cultural Notes for 形容
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the ability to accurately describe or portray something is highly valued, especially in literature and art. 形容 is often used in poetry and prose to evoke emotions and create imagery, reflecting the importance of aesthetics in Chinese artistic expressions.
Frequently Asked Questions about 形容
You can use 形容 to describe anything, for example: '他形容这个地方很美' (He describes this place as beautiful).
While both mean 'to describe', 形容 focuses more on the appearance and characteristics, whereas 描述 is broader and can refer to any kind of description.
No, 形容 can also be used for emotional or abstract descriptions, such as describing a person's feelings or a situation.
