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形 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
形xíngto appearHSK 6, n, 7 strokes, radical 彡, rank #3193, Hard
形xíngto lookHSK 6, n, 7 strokes, radical 彡, rank #3193, Hard
形xíngformHSK 6, n, 7 strokes, radical 彡, rank #3193, Hard
形xíngshapeHSK 6, n, 7 strokes, radical 彡, rank #3193, Hard
形xíngform, shape; to appear; to describe; to lookHSK 6, n, 7 strokes, radical 彡, rank #3193, Hard
xíng(xing2)xing T2
  1. 1to appear
  2. 2to look
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

形xíng(xing2)

The character 形 (xíng) refers to the form or shape of an object and can also mean to appear or look in a certain way. It is commonly used in contexts related to physical appearance, descriptions, and even abstract forms, such as ideas or styles.

Strokes7Radical彡Frequency#3193DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of shape and form is essential in art and philosophy, particularly in practices like Feng Shui, where the arrangement and appearance of objects are believed to affect harmony and energy flow.

Memory Tip

Imagine a figure (形) standing in a shape, perhaps an artist sketching different forms. The left part of the character resembles a person (亻), and the right part (形) suggests a distinct outline or shape, helping you remember that it relates to appearance.

Meanings of 形

xíng(xing2)
1to appear
2to look
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 形 means.

About 形

形Simplified
7Strokes
彡Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3193Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 形

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Podcast: 形

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AI Study Notes for 形

Quick Contrast

形 (xíng) vs 状 (zhuàng) — use 形 when referring to the general form or appearance, while 状 is more specific to the state or condition of something.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context when using 形; it can refer to both physical and abstract concepts. Common collocations include 形状 (xíngzhuàng, shape) and 形式 (xíngshì, form or format). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.

HSK Study Tips

While 形 is not part of HSK vocabulary, it connects with other HSK words like 形式 (form) and 形状 (shape). Focus on recognizing how it modifies nouns to express physical characteristics.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 形 with similar characters like 型 (xíng, model/type). For instance, saying '我喜欢这个型' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège xíng) instead of '我喜欢这个形' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège xíng) can change the meaning to an incorrect context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 形

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Etymology of 形

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 彡 represents the meaning and 井 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

Sunlight 彡 streaming through a window 开

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 形?

Decomposition of 形

IDS Structure⿰开彡
形Full Character
=
开kai1
left
彡shan1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 形?

How to say to appear in Chinese

“to appear” in Chinese is形xíng

The character 形 (xíng) refers to the form or shape of an object and can also mean to appear or look in a certain way. It is commonly used in contexts related to physical appearance, descriptions, and even abstract forms, such as ideas or styles.

When to use 形

Be mindful of the context when using 形; it can refer to both physical and abstract concepts. Common collocations include 形状 (xíngzhuàng, shape) and 形式 (xíngshì, form or format). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.

形 or something close to it

形 (xíng) vs 状 (zhuàng) — use 形 when referring to the general form or appearance, while 状 is more specific to the state or condition of something.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 形 with similar characters like 型 (xíng, model/type). For instance, saying '我喜欢这个型' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège xíng) instead of '我喜欢这个形' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège xíng) can change the meaning to an incorrect context.

Write 形

形

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 形

形 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 5 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

这样的地产是否可获得大笔收益还要视具体情____而定。

Whether such properties are a good deal will depend on individual situations.

Common Confusions with 形

形vs行
xíng

Similar pronunciation but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “to appear”?

or

Example Sentences for 形 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这样的地产是否可获得大笔收益还要视具体情形而定。

zhè yàng de dì chǎn shì fǒu kě huò dé dà bǐ shōu yì huán yào shì jù tǐ qíng xíng ér dìng。

Whether such properties are a good deal will depend on individual situations.
2
把你的眉毛修剪成越往外眼角越细的月牙形。

bǎ nǐ de méi máo xiū jiǎn chéng yuè wǎng wài yǎn jiǎo yuè xì de yuè yá xíng。

Taper the shape of your eyebrows towards the outer corners.
3
“这不是我喜欢的音乐形式。”——“对，这不是。”

“ “ zhè bù shì wǒ xǐ huān de yīn lè xíng。”——“ shì， 。”——“ duì ，。”

"It's not one of my favourite forms of music." — "No."
4
我觉得那些人物形象即使不说是乏味无聊，至少也是毫无深度。

wǒ jué dé nà xiē rén wù xíng xiàng jí shǐ bù shuō shì fá wèi wú liáo， ， zhì shǎo yě shì háo wú shēn。

I found the characters very two-dimensional, not to say dull.
5
还有其他形式的民众骚乱，最出名的是足球流氓行为。

huán yǒu qí tā xíng shì de mín zhòng sāo luàn， ， zuì chū míng de shì zú qiú liú máng háng。

There are other forms of civil disorder — most notably, football hooliganism.
6
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.
7
卡瓦佐斯先生的问题是他不了解最新形势。

kǎ wǎ zuǒ sī xiān shēng de wèn tí shì tā bù le jiě zuì xīn xíng shì。

Mr Cavazos' problem was that he was out of touch.
8
人体骨架是由依靠韧带连接的形状相异的骨头构成。

rén tǐ gǔ jià shì yóu yī kào rèn dài lián jiē de xíng zhuàng xiāng yì de gǔ tóu gòu chéng。

The skeleton consists of differently shaped bones held together by ligaments.
9
比赛形势决定了他们要打防守战而不是进攻战。

bǐ sài xíng shì jué dìng le tā mén yào dǎ fáng shǒu zhàn ér bù shì jìn gōng zhàn。

Circumstances dictated that they played a defensive rather than attacking game.
10
这件衬衫的袖口洗后照样挺括，不变形。

zhè jiàn chèn shān de xiù kǒu xǐ hòu zhào yàng tǐng kuò， ， bù biàn。

The shirt's cuffs won't sag and lose their shape after washing.
11
在雾中，树木的形隐约可见。

Zài wù zhōng, shùmù de xíng yǐnyuē kějiàn.

The shapes of the trees appear faintly in the fog.
12
月亮在云层后出现时，形状非常迷人。

Yuèliàng zài yúncéng hòu chūxiàn shí, xíngzhuàng fēicháng mírén.

When the moon appears behind the clouds, its shape is very enchanting.
13
雾气渐渐散去，山的形开始在远处出现。

Wùqì jiànjiàn sàn qù, shān de xíng kāishǐ zài yuǎnchù chūxiàn.

As the fog gradually dissipated, the shape of the mountain began to appear in the distance.
14
在夜空中，星星的形像小点一样出现。

Zài yèkōng zhōng, xīngxing de xíng xiàng xiǎo diǎn yīyàng chūxiàn.

In the night sky, the stars appear like small dots.
15
当灯光照射到墙壁上，影子的形立刻显现出来。

Dāng dēngguāng zhàoshè dào qiángbì shàng, yǐngzi de xíng lìkè xiǎnxiàn chūlái.

When the light hit the wall, the shape of the shadow immediately appeared.
16
那只猫总是突然在窗户的形中出现，吓我一跳。

Nà zhǐ māo zǒng shì tūrán zài chuānghù de xíng zhōng chūxiàn, xià wǒ yī tiào.

That cat always suddenly appears in the shape of the window, giving me a fright.

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Word Family of 形

Words Containing This Character20
形成xíngchéngto form
形象xíngxiàngimage
形式xíngshìform
形xíngform
形势xíngshìcircumstances形勢
形容xíngróngto describe
情形qíngxingcircumstances
形状xíngzhuàngform形狀
变形biànxíngdeformation變形
隐形yǐnxínginvisible隱形
形态xíngtàishape形態
整形shaping
外形wàixíngfigure
畸形jīxíngdeformity
无形wúxíngincorporeal無形
圆形yuánxínground圓形
地形dìxíngtopography
身形figure (esp. a woman's)
图形túxíngpicture圖形
体形figure體形
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 形

What does 形成 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 形

Common phrases include 形状 (xíngzhuàng), meaning 'shape', and 形式 (xíngshì), which translates to 'form' or 'format'. These phrases are often used in discussions about geometry or different formats of expression.

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