Meaning of 形势
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- circumstances
- situation
- terrain
Measure word: 個|个
How to use 形势
形势 is used for the overall state of affairs, often in politics, the economy, or competition, and it often appears with words like 严峻 (severe) or 好转 (improve). It can also mean the lay of the land in a military or geographic sense. Example: 目前的经济形势很复杂。(Mùqián de jīngjì xíngshì hěn fùzá.) The current economic situation is very complicated.
形 (xíng) means shape or form, and 势 (shì) means force or momentum, as in 优势 (yōushì). Together, the shape of the forces around you is the situation you are in.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 形势 (xíngshì, situation) with 形式 (xíngshì, form), because they sound exactly the same. If you mean the format or outward form of something, use 形式, and if you mean how things stand, use 形势.
形势 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.
形 xíng · to appear · 7 strokes
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势 shì · power · 8 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 形势.
| 形成 | xíngchéng | to form; to take shape |
| 形式 | xíngshì | outer appearance; form |
| 形象 | xíngxiàng | image; form |
| 优势 | yōushì | superiority; dominance |
| 形状 | xíngzhuàng | form; shape |
| 形容 | xíngróng | to describe; (literary) countenance; appearance |
| 趋势 | qūshì | trend; tendency |
| 情形 | qíngxing | circumstances; situation; state of affairs |
| 势力 | shìlì | power; influence |
| 地形 | dìxíng | topography; terrain |
| 形态 | xíngtài | shape; form |
| 变形 | biànxíng | to become deformed; to change shape; to morph |
Questions about 形势
What does 形势 mean?
形势 (xíngshì) means "circumstances; situation" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 形势?
形势 is made of 2 characters: 形 (7 strokes), 势 (8 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 形势 an HSK word?
Yes. 形势 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 形势 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 形势 is written 形勢.
What is the difference between 形势 and 情况?
情况 (qíngkuàng) is a general word for any situation or condition, even a small personal one. 形势 usually describes a larger, developing situation, like the international or economic picture, and sounds more formal.
What verbs and adjectives commonly go with 形势?
Common pairings include 形势严峻 (the situation is grim), 形势好转 (the situation improves), and 分析形势 (analyze the situation). You will often see these in news reports.