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字体 (zì tǐ) — font; typeface (used in printing or on computers); calligraphic style (in handwriting or art)

Definition

字体 refers to the design of a typeface itself (e.g. 宋体, a modern font). For the art of writing characters by hand, use 书法; for the look of a specific person's handwriting, use 字迹.

noun
fonttypeface (used in printing or on computers)calligraphic style (in handwriting or art)
Measure word · 种

Examples

  • 字体。
    Zhè ge wén dàng de zì tǐ shì sòng tǐ.
    The font of this document is Song Ti.
  • 字体。
    Tā de shū fǎ zì tǐ hěn dú tè.
    His calligraphic style is very unique.
  • 字体。
    Shè jì shī xuǎn le yì kuǎn xiàn dài zì tǐ.
    The designer chose a modern typeface.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

字zìcharacters
体tǐstyle

字体 takes 字 and 体, the style or form of characters.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀miánroof
Sound part声符shēngfú
子
子zǐ字zì
Same sound today

字 pairs 宀 (roof) with 子 (child); 子 gives the sound, while 宀 relates to the meaning.

Open 字 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 體; 体 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
骨骨gǔbone
Sound part声符shēngfú
豊
豊lǐ體tǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 體 pairs 骨 (bone) with 豊 as a sound part; this note is about 體, not about the parts of 体.

Open 体 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Reading & Writing

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