范本 (fàn běn) — model (for calligraphy or painting); template; exemplar

Definition

A model or template used as a standard to copy or imitate. Originally refers to a calligraphy/painting sample, now broadly any exemplary model others follow.

noun
model (for calligraphy or painting)templateexemplar
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 范本。
    Lǎo shī gěi wǒ men kàn le yì fú shū fǎ fàn běn.
    The teacher showed us a calligraphy model.
  • 范本。
    Zhè běn zì tiè shì zuì hǎo de fàn běn.
    This copybook is the best model.
  • 范本。
    Tā yòng zhè fú huà zuò fàn běn lái xué xí shuǐ mò huà.
    He used this painting as a model to learn ink wash painting.

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.

范fànmodel
本běnbook/copy

范 describes 本 as a model copy, giving an exemplar.

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
艸艸cǎograss
Sound part声符shēngfú
氾
氾fán范fàn
Same sound today

范 pairs 艸 (grass) with 氾, which gives its sound.

Open 范 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

本 adds a stroke at the bottom of a tree shape to mark the roots, giving the sense of foundation or original.

Open 本 →

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