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样 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
样yàngmannerHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #1229, Hard
样yàngpatternHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #1229, Hard
样yàngwayHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #1229, Hard
样yàngappearanceHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #1229, Hard
样yàngshapeHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #1229, Hard
样yàngform, pattern, shape, styleHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #1229, Hard
样yàngclassifier: kind, typeHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #1229, Hard
yàng(yang4) T4
  1. 1manner
  2. 2pattern
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

样(樣)yàng(yang4)

The character 样 (yàng) refers to a manner, pattern, or appearance. It is commonly used to describe the way something looks or behaves, and can also refer to a type or kind of something. In everyday conversation, it often appears when discussing styles or forms in various contexts.

Strokes10Radical木Frequency#1229DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of样 (yàng) is significant in fashion and design, where appearance and style are highly valued. The phrase '样式' (yàngshì), which refers to style, is often used in discussions about traditional garments like the qipao.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'yang' (样) shape that represents the many styles and appearances in life. The radical 木 (mù) suggests a tree, symbolizing growth and variety, while the character's overall form looks like a person (the top) holding a 'patterned' object (the bottom). Visualize a tree with different fruits representing various样 styles.

Meanings of 样

yàng(yang4)
1manner
2pattern
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 样

样Simplified
樣Traditional
10Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1229Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 样

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Podcast: 样

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 样

Quick Contrast

类型 (lèixíng) - use 样 (yàng) when describing the appearance or manner of something rather than its specific type or category.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 样 (yàng) with similar-sounding words. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts but is especially common in everyday conversation. Common collocations include '样子' (yàngzi, appearance) and '样式' (yàngshì, style).

HSK Study Tips

Though not a specific HSK level word, 样 (yàng) connects well with other basic vocabulary related to description and classification. Focus on its use in phrases and collocations, which will help solidify understanding of its application.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 样 (yàng) with similar-sounding words like 养 (yǎng, to raise). For example, saying '他的样子很好' (tā de yǎngzi hěn hǎo) is incorrect; it should be '他的样子很好' (tā de yàngzi hěn hǎo) to mean 'His appearance is good.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 样

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Etymology of 样

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 羊 represents the sound. Simplified form of 樣.

Memory Hint

tree

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)羊
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 样

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 羊 represents the sound. Simplified form of 樣.

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half羊 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaytree
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 样? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 样?

Decomposition of 样

IDS Structure⿰木羊
样Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
羊Yang2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 样?

How to say manner in Chinese

“manner” in Chinese is样yàng

The character 样 (yàng) refers to a manner, pattern, or appearance. It is commonly used to describe the way something looks or behaves, and can also refer to a type or kind of something. In everyday conversation, it often appears when discussing styles or forms in various contexts.

When to use 样

Be cautious not to confuse 样 (yàng) with similar-sounding words. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts but is especially common in everyday conversation. Common collocations include '样子' (yàngzi, appearance) and '样式' (yàngshì, style).

样 or something close to it

类型 (lèixíng) - use 样 (yàng) when describing the appearance or manner of something rather than its specific type or category.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 样 (yàng) with similar-sounding words like 养 (yǎng, to raise). For example, saying '他的样子很好' (tā de yǎngzi hěn hǎo) is incorrect; it should be '他的样子很好' (tā de yàngzi hěn hǎo) to mean 'His appearance is good.'

Write 样

样

Practice writing 样 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 样

样 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 7 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

筷子不能那____拿。

You can't hold chopsticks like that.

Example Sentences for 样 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我觉得那样做也许可以让他们冰释前嫌。

wǒ jué dé nà yàng zuò yě xǔ kě yǐ ràng tā mén bīng shì qián xián。

I felt that might well mend the rift between them.
2
不要那样跟我讲话。我不允许!

bù yào nà yàng gēn wǒ jiǎng huà。 。 wǒ bù yǔn!

Don't speak to me like that. Don't you dare.
3
我们被骗得团团转,我可不喜欢这样。

wǒ mén bèi piàn dé tuán tuán zhuǎn, , wǒ kě bù xǐ huān zhè。

We're being jerked around, and I don't like it.
4
我已经大致知道他长什么样子了。

wǒ yǐ jīng dà zhì zhī dào tā cháng shí mó yàng zǐ le。

I've got a rough idea of what he looks like.
5
我认为像慢跑、举重这样的运动不符合自然规律。

wǒ rèn wéi xiàng màn pǎo、 、 jǔ zhòng zhè yàng de yùn dòng bù fú hé zì rán guī。

I consider activities such as jogging and weightlifting as unnatural.
6
看到他们这个样子可真让我伤心。

kàn dào tā mén zhè gè yàng zǐ kě zhēn ràng wǒ shāng xīn。

It really breaks my heart to see them this way.
7
你是什么样的人和你想成为什么样的之间的差距就是,你做了什么。

nǐ shì shí mó yàng de rén hé nǐ xiǎng chéng wéi shí mó yàng de zhī jiān de chà jù jiù shì, , nǐ zuò le shí。

The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.
8
有时事情并不像我们认为的那样发展。

yǒu shí shì qíng bìng bù xiàng wǒ mén rèn wéi de nà yàng fā zhǎn。

Sometimes things don't turn out the way we think they're going to.
9
要了解这些产品的详细信息,请寄来标明HB/FF字样的明信片。

yào le jiě zhè xiē chǎn pǐn de xiáng xì xìn xī, , qǐng jì lái biāoHB/FF míng HB/FF zì yàng de míng。

For more details about these products, send a postcard marked HB/FF.
10
这样的法规可以保护消费者免受有害或者危险药品的威胁。

zhè yàng de fǎ guī kě yǐ bǎo hù xiāo fèi zhě miǎn shòu yǒu hài huò zhě wēi xiǎn yào pǐn de wēi xié。

Such laws could protect the consumer from harmful or dangerous remedies.
11
他处理问题的样子很有条理,让人佩服。

Tā chǔlǐ wèntí de yàngzi hěn yǒu tiáolǐ, ràng rén pèifú.

The manner in which he handles problems is very organized, which is admirable.
12
她说话的样子总是那么温柔,让人觉得舒服。

Tā shuōhuà de yàngzi zǒngshì nàme wēnróu, ràng rén juédé shūfú.

The manner in which she speaks is always so gentle, making people feel comfortable.
13
他工作的样子总是很投入,让同事们都很钦佩。

Tā gōngzuò de yàngzi zǒng shì hěn tóurù, ràng tóngshìmen dōu hěn qīnpèi.

The manner in which he works is always very dedicated, earning the admiration of his colleagues.
14
她处理危机的样子让人心安,仿佛一切都在掌控之中。

Tā chǔlǐ wēijī de yàngzi ràng rén xīn'ān, fǎngfú yīqiè dōu zài zhǎngkòng zhī zhōng.

The manner in which she handles crises is reassuring, as if everything is under control.
15
他的教学样子生动有趣,使学生们乐于参与。

Tā de jiàoxué yàngzi shēngdòng yǒuqù, shǐ xuéshēngmen lèyú cānyù.

The manner of his teaching is lively and interesting, encouraging students to participate.
16
她在会议上发言的样子非常自信,给大家留下了深刻的印象。

Tā zài huìyì shàng fāyán de yàngzi fēicháng zìxìn, gěi dàjiā liúxiàle shēnkè de yìnxiàng.

The manner in which she spoke at the meeting was very confident, leaving a strong impression on everyone.

Cultural Notes for 样

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the emphasis on individual style may differ from the collective appreciation for patterns and traditional styles in Chinese culture, where appearance can reflect social status and cultural heritage.

Word Family of 样

Words Containing This Character20
这样zhèyàngso這樣
一样yíyàngsame一樣
那样nàyàngthat kind那樣
怎么样zěnmeyànghow?怎麼樣
怎样zěnyànghow怎樣
同样tóngyàngsame同樣
样子yàngziappearance樣子
样yàngmanner樣
什么样shénmeyàngwhat kind?什麼樣
不一样different不一樣
模样múyànglook模樣
不管怎样in any case不管怎樣
样本yàngběnsample樣本
样品yàngpǐnsample樣品
榜样bǎngyàngexample榜樣
花样huāyàngpattern花樣
各种各样various kinds各種各樣
一模一样yìmúyíyàngcarbon copy一模一樣
照样zhàoyàngas before照樣
字样model or template character字樣
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 这样 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 样

样 (yàng) is commonly found in phrases like '样子' (yàngzi), which means 'appearance' or 'shape', and '样式' (yàngshì), meaning 'style'. These phrases help convey more specific meanings related to looks and designs.

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