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情形 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
情形qíngxingcircumstancesHSK 6, n, 18 strokes, rank #3996, Hard
情形qíngxingsituationHSK 6, n, 18 strokes, rank #3996, Hard
qíngxing(qing2xing5)qing xing T2
  1. 1circumstances
  2. 2situation
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March 24, 2026

情形qíngxing(qing2xing5)

情形 (qíngxíng) refers to the circumstances or situation surrounding an event or condition. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe the state of affairs or specific conditions that affect decisions and actions.

Strokes18Frequency#3996DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, understanding the 情形 is crucial in interpersonal relationships, as it reflects empathy and social awareness, often determining how one responds to others' needs.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'qing' (情) of 'feeling' combined with 'xing' (形), which means 'form' or 'shape.' Picture a scenario where feelings shape the situation, helping you remember that 情形 denotes the emotional and situational context.

Meanings of 情形

qíngxing(qing2xing5)
1circumstances
2situation
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 情形

情形Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3996Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 情形

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Podcast: 情形

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AI Study Notes for 情形

Quick Contrast

情况 (qíngkuàng) - use 情形 (qíngxíng) for a more specific or formal description of circumstances.

Usage Notes

When using 情形, be mindful of its context; it often appears in discussions about social issues or personal circumstances. A common mistake is to confuse it with 状况 (zhuàngkuàng), which emphasizes health or condition rather than emotional context. It typically pairs with verbs like '了解' (liǎojiě) meaning 'understand' or '分析' (fēnxī) meaning 'analyze.'

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 情形 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to social issues, emotions, and decision-making. Students should focus on its usage in complex sentences to enhance their fluency and comprehension.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 情形 with 情况 (qíngkuàng) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我不知道这个情况' (I don't know this situation) instead of '我不知道这个情形' can lead to misunderstandings about the emotional context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 情形

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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

情qíngfeeling
HSK 711 strokes忄
View full entry
形xíngto appear
HSK 67 strokes彡
View full entry

How to say circumstances in Chinese

“circumstances” in Chinese is情形qíngxing

情形 (qíngxíng) refers to the circumstances or situation surrounding an event or condition. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe the state of affairs or specific conditions that affect decisions and actions.

When to use 情形

When using 情形, be mindful of its context; it often appears in discussions about social issues or personal circumstances. A common mistake is to confuse it with 状况 (zhuàngkuàng), which emphasizes health or condition rather than emotional context. It typically pairs with verbs like '了解' (liǎojiě) meaning 'understand' or '分析' (fēnxī) meaning 'analyze.'

情形 or something close to it

情况 (qíngkuàng) - use 情形 (qíngxíng) for a more specific or formal description of circumstances.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 情形 with 情况 (qíngkuàng) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我不知道这个情况' (I don't know this situation) instead of '我不知道这个情形' can lead to misunderstandings about the emotional context.

Write 情形

情
形

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

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Grammar Patterns of 情形

情形 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 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

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____而定。

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

Example Sentences for 情形 (10)

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1
这样的地产是否可获得大笔收益还要视具体情形而定。

zhèyàng de dì chǎn shìfǒu kě huòdé dà bǐ shōuyì hái yào shì jùtǐ qíngxing ér dìng。

Whether such properties are a good deal will depend on individual situations.
2
无论出现什么样的麻烦,我们都会在貌似混乱的情形中保持平和的心态。

wúlùn chūxiàn shénmeyàng de máfan, wǒmen dūhuì zài mào shì hùnluàn de qíngxing zhōng bǎochí pínghé de xīntài。

Whatever troubles arise, we'll have peace of mind amidst seeming chaos.
3
同样,这次怀孕和我前两次的情形非常相似。

tóngyàng, zhè cì huáiyùn hé wǒ qián liǎng cì de qíngxing fēicháng xiāngsì。

Again the pregnancy was very similar to my previous two.
4
在这种情形下,他们遇到困难就不足为怪了。

zài zhè zhǒng qíngxing xià, tāmen yùdào kùnnan jiù bùzú wèi guài le。

Under such circumstances, it is little wonder that they experience difficulties.
5
我回家的时候会再看看情形。

wǒ huíjiā de shíhou huì zài kàn kàn qíngxing。

I will reassess the situation when I get home.
6
谁来描述一下刚才所发生的情形?

shéi lái miáoshù yíxià gāngcái suǒ fāshēng de qíngxing?

Who'd like to describe what happened just now?
7
当时的情形因正赶上波特博士要和休·米勒结婚,便又多了几分趣味。

dāngshí de qíngxing yīn zhèng gǎnshàng Bō tè bóshì yào hé Xiū· mǐ lè jiéhūn, biàn yòu duō le jǐ fēn qùwèi。

Piquancy was added to the situation because Dr Porter was then on the point of marrying Hugh Miller.
8
这种情形导致了原东西德双方间的埋怨和不满逐渐增加.

zhè zhǒng qíngxing dǎozhì le yuán dōngxi dé shuāngfāng jiān de mányuàn hé bùmǎn zhújiàn zēngjiā.

The situation is causing simmering resentment in both halves of Germany.
9
数以千计的人观看了轮船离港下水的情形.

shù yǐ qiān jì de rén guānkàn le lúnchuán lí Gǎng xià shuǐ de qíngxing.

Thousands of people observed the ship leaving the harbour.
10
观众不会忘记风度翩翩的男主角德克冒着生命危险把达芙妮从恶龙爪下救出的情形。

guānzhòng bù huì wàngjì fēngdù piān piān de nán zhǔjué dé kè mào zhe shēngmìng wēixiǎn bǎ dá fú nī cóng è lóng zhǎo xià jiù chū de qíngxing。

Viewers will remember the dashing hero, Dirk, risking life and limb to rescue Daphne from the dragons.

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Cultural Notes for 情形

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the concept of 'situation' may not carry the same emotional weight as in Chinese, where feelings play a pivotal role in assessing circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions about 情形

You can say: '在这种情形下,我们必须做出决定。' (In this situation, we must make a decision.)

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