Meaning of 典型
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- model
- typical case
- archetype
- typical
- representative
How to use 典型
As an adjective, 典型 means typical or representative, often with 的 before a noun or with 很 before it. As a noun, it means a model case or typical example, as in 树立典型 (set up a model). Example: 这是一个典型的例子。(Zhè shì yí gè diǎnxíng de lìzi.) This is a typical example.
典 (diǎn) is the 典 in 字典 (zìdiǎn), a standard reference book, and 型 (xíng) is the 型 in 模型 (móxíng), a model or mold. Something 典型 is like the standard example in the book, the mold that others are shaped from.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 典型 with 类型 (lèixíng), which means a type or category, not a typical one. Say 典型的中国菜 for typical Chinese food, but 什么类型的菜 for what kind of food.
典型 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
典 diǎn · law · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
型 xíng · mold · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Related words
Words that share a character with 典型.
| 字典 | zìdiǎn | Chinese character dictionary (containing entries for single characters, contrasted with a |
| 词典 | cídiǎn | dictionary |
| 经典 | jīngdiǎn | the classics; scriptures |
| 类型 | lèixíng | type; kind; category; (computer programming) type |
| 大型 | dàxíng | large; large-scale |
| 模型 | móxíng | model; mold |
| 小型 | xiǎoxíng | small scale; small size |
| 造型 | zàoxíng | to model; to shape; appearance; style; design; form; pose |
| 新型 | xīnxíng | new type; new kind |
| 型号 | xínghào | model (particular version of a manufactured article); type (product specification in terms |
| 典礼 | diǎnlǐ | ceremony; celebration |
| 辞典 | cídiǎn | variant of 詞典|词典[ci2 dian3] |
Questions about 典型
What does 典型 mean?
典型 (diǎnxíng) means "model; typical case" and is used as a noun and adjective.
How do you write 典型?
典型 is made of 2 characters: 典 (8 strokes), 型 (9 strokes). That is 17 strokes in total.
Is 典型 an HSK word?
Yes. 典型 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Is 典型 the same as 一般 or 普通?
No. 一般 and 普通 mean ordinary or average, while 典型 means a clear, representative example of something. A 典型 case shows the key features of its group very well.
Can 典型 be used in a negative way?
Yes. It is neutral and can describe bad things too, such as 典型的错误 (a typical mistake). In casual speech, people may say 典型的懒人 to mean a classic lazy person.