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典范 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
典范diǎnfànmodelHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #13910, Very Hard
典范diǎnfànexampleHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #13910, Very Hard
典范diǎnfànparagonHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #13910, Very Hard
diǎnfàn(dian3fan4)dian fan T3
  1. 1model
  2. 2example
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March 24, 2026

典范(典範)diǎnfàn(dian3fan4)

典范 (diǎnfàn) refers to a model or example that serves as a standard for others to follow. It is often used in contexts such as education, leadership, or moral behavior, highlighting something exemplary and worth emulating.

Strokes16Frequency#13910DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 典范 is often associated with Confucian values, where moral exemplars are revered and serve as role models for society. This reflects the emphasis on harmony and good conduct in community living.

Memory Tip

Think of 典 (diǎn) as 'classic' and 范 (fàn) as 'pattern.' Imagine a classic book on a shelf, representing a perfect example of literature that everyone should read and learn from. This image links the pronunciation and meaning together.

Meanings of 典范

diǎnfàn(dian3fan4)
1model
2example
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 典范

典范Simplified
典範Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 典范

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Podcast: 典范

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AI Study Notes for 典范

Quick Contrast

模范 (mófàn) — use 典范 when emphasizing a standard or model, while 模范 is more about a role model or ideal example in practice.

Usage Notes

While 典范 is generally formal, it can be used in both written and spoken contexts. A common mistake is to confuse it with 模范 (mófàn), which also means 'model' but is more often used for moral examples. Be careful with the tones, as mispronouncing either character can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 典范 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it relates to HSK Level 6 themes of morality and example-setting. Students should focus on using it in sentences that demonstrate comparison or admiration.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 典范 with 典礼 (diǎnlǐ, 'ceremony') due to similar pronunciation. Ensure you're using 典范 when discussing models or examples, not ceremonies.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 典范

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Learning Lab

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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

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Component Characters

典diǎncanon
HSK 58 strokes八
View full entry
范fànpattern
HSK 78 strokes艹
View full entry

How to say model in Chinese

“model” in Chinese is典范diǎnfàn

典范 (diǎnfàn) refers to a model or example that serves as a standard for others to follow. It is often used in contexts such as education, leadership, or moral behavior, highlighting something exemplary and worth emulating.

When to use 典范

While 典范 is generally formal, it can be used in both written and spoken contexts. A common mistake is to confuse it with 模范 (mófàn), which also means 'model' but is more often used for moral examples. Be careful with the tones, as mispronouncing either character can change the meaning.

典范 or something close to it

模范 (mófàn) — use 典范 when emphasizing a standard or model, while 模范 is more about a role model or ideal example in practice.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 典范 with 典礼 (diǎnlǐ, 'ceremony') due to similar pronunciation. Ensure you're using 典范 when discussing models or examples, not ceremonies.

Write 典范

典
范

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Frequently Asked Questions about 典范

Yes, but it's more commonly found in formal or written contexts.

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