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楷模 (kǎi mó) — role model; exemplary figure

Definition

楷模 is a formal, written term for a 'role model' — a person worth emulating. 榜样 is the everyday spoken equivalent; 模范 and 典范 lean even more formal/written.

noun
role modelexemplary figure
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 楷模。
    Zhè wèi lǎo shī shì wǒ men bān de kǎi mó.
    This teacher is a role model in our class.
  • ，楷模。
    Tā qín fèn nǔ lì, shì dà jiā xué xí de kǎi mó.
    He is diligent and hardworking, a model for everyone to learn from.
  • 楷模。
    Kē xué jiā men de fèng xiàn jīng shén shì xiàn dài qīng nián de kǎi mó.
    The dedication of scientists is a role model for modern youth.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

楷kǎimodel
模mómodel

楷 and 模 both mean a model or standard, so the word denotes an exemplary person.

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
木木mùtree
Sound part声符shēngfú
皆
皆jiē楷kǎi
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

楷 combines 木, a tree, with 皆, which gives the character its sound.

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
木木mùtree
Sound part声符shēngfú
莫
莫mò模mó
Same sound today

The left part 木 is tree; the right part 莫 gives the sound.

Open 模 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Social Roles & Status

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.