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形成 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
形成xíngchéngto formHSK 5, v, rank #4198, Medium
形成xíngchéngto take shapeHSK 5, v, rank #4198, Medium
xíngchéng(xing2cheng2) T2
  1. 1to form
  2. 2to take shape
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March 24, 2026
形成xíngchéng(xing2cheng2)

形成 (xíngchéng) refers to the process of coming into being or taking shape. It is commonly used in contexts such as the formation of ideas, physical objects, or social phenomena. The word conveys a sense of development and transformation over time.

Frequency#4198DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

The concept of 形成 is often related to Chinese philosophies, such as Daoism, which emphasizes natural processes of formation and transformation in life. This reflects a cultural appreciation for growth and change.

Memory Tip

Think of 形 (xíng) as a shape or figure, and 成 (chéng) as to become. Imagine a clay figure that is being molded into its final shape, representing how something takes form or shape through a process.

Meanings of 形成

xíngchéng(xing2cheng2)
1to form
2to take shape
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 形成

形成Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4198Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 形成

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Podcast: 形成

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AI Study Notes for 形成

Quick Contrast

形成 (xíngchéng) vs 发展 (fāzhǎn): use 形成 when emphasizing the initial process of coming into being, while 发展 focuses on the subsequent growth or advancement.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 形 (xíng) as a shape or figure, and 成 (chéng) as to become. Imagine a clay figure that is being molded into its final shape, representing how something takes form or shape through a process.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 形成 with 产生 (chǎnshēng), which means to produce. 形成 is often used in more abstract contexts, while 产生 is more concrete. It is generally used in both formal and informal settings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 形成 connects well with other HSK 5 vocabulary related to development and change, such as 发展 (fāzhǎn, development) and 变化 (biànhuà, change). Focus on understanding how it can be used in different contexts.

Cultural Note

The concept of 形成 is often related to Chinese philosophies, such as Daoism, which emphasizes natural processes of formation and transformation in life. This reflects a cultural appreciation for growth and change.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 形成 with 组成 (zǔchéng), which means to constitute or compose. For example, saying '这个组织形成很多成员' (This organization forms many members) is incorrect; instead, use '这个组织由很多成员组成' (This organization is composed of many members).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 形成

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Component Characters

形xíngto appear
HSK 67 strokes彡
View full entry
成chéngto succeed
HSK 66 strokes戈
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Write 形成

形
成

Practice writing 形成 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 形成

形成 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

这些恒星一定是____于100到150亿年前。

The stars must have formed 10 to 15 billion years ago.

Example Sentences for 形成 (10)

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1
这些恒星一定是形成于100到150亿年前。

zhè xiē héng xīng yī dìng shì xíng chéng yú100 100150 dào 150 yì。

The stars must have formed 10 to 15 billion years ago.
2
有一些湿地在古代就形成了。

yǒu yī xiē shī dì zài gǔ dài jiù xíng chéng le。

There are some areas of wetland which are of ancient origin.
3
他们的性格已经完全形成，两人都是非常持重的孩子。

tā mén de xìng gé yǐ jīng wán quán xíng chéng， ， liǎng rén dū shì fēi cháng chí zhòng de hái。

Their characters are fully formed and they are both very stable children.
4
溢出的湖水倾泻而下，形成了一座日式水景花园的瀑布。

yì chū de hú shuǐ qīng xiè ér xià， ， xíng chéng le yī zuò rì shì shuǐ jǐng huā yuán de pù。

The loch's overflow cascades into the waterfalls of a Japanese water garden.
5
与花哨的打扮形成鲜明对比的是这件小黑裙子。

yǔ huā shào de dǎ bàn xíng chéng xiān míng duì bǐ de shì zhè jiàn xiǎo hēi qún zǐ。

The little black dress is the anithesis of fussy dressing.
6
年轻人正在形成毒品有好坏之分的观念。

nián qīng rén zhèng zài xíng chéng dú pǐn yǒu hǎo huài zhī fēn de guān niàn。

Young people are picking up ideas about good drugs and bad drugs.
7
国与国之间的隔阂是由沟通缓慢而又太少形成的.

guó yǔ guó zhī jiān de gé hé shì yóu gōu tōng huǎn màn ér yòu tài shǎo xíng chéng de.

Barriers between nations are reared by slow and infrequent communication.
8
碳、氢、氧化合形成碳水化合物和脂肪。

tàn、 、、 qīng 、 yǎng huà hé xíng chéng tàn shuǐ huà hé wù hé。

Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen combine chemically to form carbohydrates and fats.
9
洪水导致伦敦西部和希斯罗机场间形成了长达6英里的塞车长龙。

hóng shuǐ dǎo zhì lún dūn xī bù hé xī sī luó jī cháng jiān xíng chéng le cháng dá6 6 yīng lǐ de sāi chē cháng。

The flooding led to six-mile tailbacks between west London and Heathrow Airport.
10
黑发白肤形成鲜明的对照.

hēi fā bái fū xíng chéng xiān míng de duì zhào.

Black hair is a sharp contrast to the white skin.

Cultural Notes for 形成

🏮Cultural insight

The concept of 形成 is often related to Chinese philosophies, such as Daoism, which emphasizes natural processes of formation and transformation in life. This reflects a cultural appreciation for growth and change.

Frequently Asked Questions about 形成

Yes, 形成 can describe emotional development, such as forming one's identity or feelings over time.