Meaning of 形状
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- form; shape
How to use 形状
形状 is a common noun for the physical shape of things, often used with 什么 to ask about shape or with 像 to compare. Example: 这块石头的形状像一颗心。(Zhè kuài shítou de xíngzhuàng xiàng yì kē xīn.) This stone is shaped like a heart.
形 (xíng) means form or appearance, and 状 (zhuàng) means the look or state of something. Put the outer form and the visible look together and you get the shape of an object.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 形状 with 状况 (zhuàngkuàng) or 状态 (zhuàngtài), but those describe a condition or situation, not a physical shape. Also remember 状 is fourth tone (zhuàng), not third.
形状 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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状 zhuàng · state · 7 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 形状.
| 状况 | zhuàngkuàng | condition; state; situation |
| 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 |
| 现状 | xiànzhuàng | current situation |
| 形态 | xíngtài | shape; form |
| 症状 | zhèngzhuàng | symptom (of an illness) |
Questions about 形状
What does 形状 mean?
形状 (xíngzhuàng) means "form; shape" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 形状?
形状 is made of 2 characters: 形 (7 strokes), 状 (7 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 形状 an HSK word?
Yes. 形状 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 形状 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 形状 is written 形狀.
What is the difference between 形状 and 形式?
形状 is the physical outline of an object, like round or square. 形式 (xíngshì) is form in a more abstract sense, such as the format of an event or the style of a work.
How do I ask what shape something is in Chinese?
You can say 它是什么形状的？(Tā shì shénme xíngzhuàng de?) meaning What shape is it? A typical answer is 圆形的 (yuánxíng de), round, or 方形的 (fāngxíng de), square.