Meaning of 形态
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- shape
- form
- pattern
- morphology
How to use 形态
形态 is a fairly formal noun used for the form or structure of things, from living creatures and landforms to social systems and ideas. It also appears in academic terms such as linguistic or biological morphology. Example: 这种植物的形态很特别。(Zhè zhǒng zhíwù de xíngtài hěn tèbié.) This plant has a very unusual form.
形 (xíng) means shape, and 态 (tài) means a state or condition, the same 态 you see in 态度 (tàidù) and 状态 (zhuàngtài). Put together, 形态 is the shape and state something takes, its overall form.
Common mistake: Learners often use 形态 where 形状 (xíngzhuàng) is more natural. For the simple physical outline of an object, like a round or square shape, say 形状. Keep 形态 for overall form, structure, or a more abstract pattern.
形态 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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- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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- 7
态 tài · manner · 8 strokes
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- 4
- 5
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- 8
Related words
Words that share a character with 形态.
| 态度 | tàidù | manner; bearing |
| 状态 | zhuàngtài | condition; state; state of affairs |
| 形成 | xíngchéng | to form; to take shape |
| 形式 | xíngshì | outer appearance; form |
| 形象 | xíngxiàng | image; form |
| 形状 | xíngzhuàng | form; shape |
| 形容 | xíngróng | to describe; (literary) countenance; appearance |
| 形势 | xíngshì | circumstances; situation |
| 情形 | qíngxing | circumstances; situation; state of affairs |
| 地形 | dìxíng | topography; terrain |
| 心态 | xīntài | attitude (of the heart); state of one's psyche |
| 动态 | dòngtài | movement; motion |
Questions about 形态
What does 形态 mean?
形态 (xíngtài) means "shape; form" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 形态?
形态 is made of 2 characters: 形 (7 strokes), 态 (8 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 形态 an HSK word?
Yes. 形态 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 形态 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 形态 is written 形態.
What does 意识形态 mean?
意识形态 (yìshí xíngtài) means ideology. It is a very common fixed phrase in news and politics, and it shows how 形态 can describe the form of abstract systems, not just physical things.
How is 形态 different from 形式 (xíngshì)?
形式 usually means the outward format or way something is done, often in contrast with content, as in 形式主义 (formalism). 形态 focuses on the actual structure or form a thing has, as in 动物形态 (animal morphology).