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字型 (zì xíng) — font, typeface

Definition

Refers to the visual design of a set of characters — the font or typeface (size, shape, style). Often confused with 字体, which is the broader term including both the typeface and script system; 字型 emphasizes the visual form.

noun
fonttypeface
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 字型，。
    Zhè piān wén zhāng de zì xíng tài xiǎo le, kàn zhe hěn lèi.
    The font of this article is too small, it's tiring to read.
  • 字型。
    Shè jì shī wèi zhè ge pǐn pái shè jì le yí tào dú tè de zì xíng.
    The designer created a unique typeface for this brand.
  • 字型？
    Nǐ zài diàn nǎo shàng xuǎn de zì xíng shì shén me?
    What font did you select on your computer?

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zìcharacter
型xíngtype

“字” means character and “型” means type; together they name the style of characters used in printing.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
土土tǔearth
Sound part声符shēngfú
刑
刑xíng型xíng
Same sound today

型 pairs 土 (earth) with 刑, which supplies the sound; the shape shows an earthen mold, hence form or pattern.

Open 型 →
Appears in
Reading & Writing

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