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轮廓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
轮廓lúnkuòan outlineHSK 7, n, 21 strokes, rank #11792, Very Hard
轮廓lúnkuòsilhouetteHSK 7, n, 21 strokes, rank #11792, Very Hard
lúnkuò(lun2kuo4)lun kuo T2
  1. 1an outline
  2. 2silhouette
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March 24, 2026

轮廓(輪廓)lúnkuò(lun2kuo4)

轮廓 (lúnkuò) refers to the outline or silhouette of an object, often used in contexts related to art, design, or description. It can describe both physical shapes and more abstract concepts, such as the outline of a plan or idea. The term suggests a focus on the defining features that give shape to something.

Strokes21Frequency#11792DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese art, the concept of an outline is crucial, as traditional ink painting often emphasizes the outline to define forms, especially in landscape and figure painting. Understanding 轮廓 helps appreciate the subtlety in Chinese artistic expressions.

Memory tip

Imagine drawing a person (轮) standing on a wheel (廓), with only the outline visible. The character 轮 looks like a wheel, and 廓 can remind you of a broad area, suggesting a wide outline. This visual connection can help you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation.

Meanings of 轮廓

lúnkuò(lun2kuo4)
1an outline
2silhouette
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 轮廓

轮廓Simplified
輪廓Traditional
21Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#11792Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 轮廓

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Podcast: 轮廓

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AI Study Notes for 轮廓

Quick Contrast

轮廓 (outline) vs 形状 (shape) — use 轮廓 when emphasizing the defining features or contours, while 形状 refers more generally to the form or configuration.

Usage Notes

轮廓 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in artistic discussions or when describing shapes. A common mistake is confusing it with similar terms like 形状 (xíngzhuàng), which means 'shape' instead of 'outline.' Always pay attention to the context to choose the right word.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 轮廓 connects to other words describing shapes and forms. Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe visual elements, enhancing their vocabulary related to art and design concepts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 轮廓 with 轮子 (wheel) due to the similar pronunciation. It's important to remember that 轮廓 specifically refers to outlines. For example, saying '我喜欢这个轮子的设计' (I like the design of this wheel) instead of '我喜欢这个轮廓的设计' is incorrect if you mean the outline.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 轮廓

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Component Characters

轮lúnwheel
HSK 68 strokes车
View full entry
廓kuòbig
13 strokes广
View full entry

How to say an outline in Chinese

“an outline” in Chinese is轮廓lúnkuò

轮廓 (lúnkuò) refers to the outline or silhouette of an object, often used in contexts related to art, design, or description. It can describe both physical shapes and more abstract concepts, such as the outline of a plan or idea. The term suggests a focus on the defining features that give shape to something.

When to use 轮廓

轮廓 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in artistic discussions or when describing shapes. A common mistake is confusing it with similar terms like 形状 (xíngzhuàng), which means 'shape' instead of 'outline.' Always pay attention to the context to choose the right word.

轮廓 or something close to it

轮廓 (outline) vs 形状 (shape) — use 轮廓 when emphasizing the defining features or contours, while 形状 refers more generally to the form or configuration.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 轮廓 with 轮子 (wheel) due to the similar pronunciation. It's important to remember that 轮廓 specifically refers to outlines. For example, saying '我喜欢这个轮子的设计' (I like the design of this wheel) instead of '我喜欢这个轮廓的设计' is incorrect if you mean the outline.

Write 轮廓

轮
廓

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

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Grammar Patterns of 轮廓

轮廓 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.

他是个脸部____分明、皱纹明显的矮个子男人。

He's a very small man with a lined, craggy face.

Example Sentences for 轮廓 (10)

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1
他是个脸部轮廓分明、皱纹明显的矮个子男人。

tā shì gè liǎn bù lún kuò fēn míng、 、 zhòu wén míng xiǎn de ǎi gè zǐ nán。

He's a very small man with a lined, craggy face.
2
他摸着自己轮廓分明的下巴想了一会儿。

tā mō zháo zì jǐ lún kuò fēn míng de xià bā xiǎng le yī huì ér。

He thought for a moment, stroking his well-defined jaw.
3
阳光明亮刺眼,在地上投下轮廓分明的影子。

yáng guāng míng liàng cì yǎn, , zài dì shàng tóu xià lún kuò fēn míng de yǐng。

The sunlight is white and blinding, throwing hard-edged shadows on the ground.
4
用黑色毡头笔画出基本轮廓(见图4)。

yòng hēi sè zhān tóu bǐ huà chū jī běn lún kuò( ( jiàn4)。

Draw the basic outlines in black felt-tip pen (see fig. 4).
5
从上往下俯瞰,山谷呈现出人形轮廓。

cóng shàng wǎng xià fǔ kàn, , shān gǔ chéng xiàn chū rén xíng lún。

Viewed from above, the valleys form the shape of a man.
6
用浓黑色的毡笔画出你孩子的轮廓。

yòng nóng hēi sè de zhān bǐ huà chū nǐ hái zǐ de lún kuò。

Draw your child's outline with a heavy black marker.
7
用唇线笔勾出双唇的轮廓,然后涂上唇膏。

yòng chún xiàn bǐ gōu chū shuāng chún de lún kuò, , rán hòu tú shàng chún。

With a lip pencil, outline lips and fill them in.
8
阳光映衬出一名男子的轮廓。

yáng guāng yìng chèn chū yī míng nán zǐ de lún kuò。

Silhouetted against the sun stood the figure of a man.
9
那些老树的轮廓映衬在苍白的天空上.

nà xiē lǎo shù de lún kuò yìng chèn zài cāng bái de tiān kōng shàng.

The old trees were profiled against the pale sky.
10
即便看到的只是背影的轮廓,比利还是认出了那个人影。

jí biàn kàn dào de zhī shì bèi yǐng de lún kuò, , bǐ lì huán shì rèn chū le nà gè rén。

Even from behind in silhouette, Billy recognized the figure.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 轮廓

You can say, '这幅画的轮廓很清晰,' which means 'The outline of this painting is very clear.'

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