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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.
Strokes17Frequency#3405DifficultyHard
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
17Strokes
—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.
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.
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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How Well Do You Know 形容?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 形容 is seven skills, not one.
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.
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.
When to use 形容
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.
形容 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 形容
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.
