模式 (mó shì) — mode; method; pattern | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

模式 refers to an established model or pattern (a repeatable structure or system), more formal than 方式 ('way/manner' of doing one thing).

noun

modemethodpattern

Measure word · 种

Examples

模式。
Zhè jiā gōng sī de shāng yè mó shì hěn chéng gōng.
This company's business model is very successful.
模式。
Wǒ men xū yào gǎi biàn jiù de sī wéi mó shì.
We need to change the old way of thinking.
模式。
Měi gè guó jiā de fā zhǎn mó shì dōu bù yí yàng.
Every country's development model is different.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

模 and 式 both mean pattern, so together they denote a mode or form.

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.

木莫模

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.

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

弋工式

Meaning part形符xíngfú

工工gōngwork

Sound part声符shēngfú

弋

弋yì式shì

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

式 pairs 工, meaning work, with 弋, which gives the sound.

Appears in

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