形

xíng

开 + 彡

Definitions

xíng (noun) shape; form

xíng (verb) appear; take shape

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 彡 represents the meaning and 井 represents the sound.

About

形 is a phono-semantic compound. The right-side component 彡 (shān), representing hair, bristles, or decorative patterns, gives the semantic idea of visual appearance, while the left-side component 井 (jǐng) supplies the sound. The core meaning of 形 is the external, visible aspects of an object or entity, its form, shape, outline, and overall appearance. This extends metaphorically to abstract situations, describing the shape of events, circumstances, or intangible configurations, and gives rise to words for forming, manifesting, and taking shape.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

云的形状像动物。

Yún de xíngzhuàng xiàng dòngwù.

The shape of clouds resembles animals.

这种形式很常见。

Zhè zhǒng xíngshì hěn chángjiàn.

This form is very common.

他的形象很好。

Tā de xíngxiàng hěn hǎo.

His image is very good.

雨滴形成于云中。

Yǔdī xíngchéng yú yún zhōng.

Raindrops form in clouds.

很难形容她的美丽。

Hěn nán xíngróng tā de měilì.

It's hard to describe her beauty.

高温使塑料变形。

Gāowēn shǐ sùliào xíngbiàn.

High temperature causes plastic to deform.

这个图形很复杂。

Zhège túxíng hěn fùzá.

This graphic is very complex.

复杂的地形影响了军队的行动。

Fùzá de dìxíng yǐngxiǎng le jūnduì de xíngdòng.

Complex terrain affected the army's movement.

Related Characters

Component: 开

Component: 彡

形