(xíng) — (bound form) type; model; pattern; (bound form) mold (for casting)

Definition

型 (xíng) is a bound morpheme meaning 'type' or 'model' — it always attaches to another character (e.g. 类型, 新型, 典型), never used alone.

bound form
typemodelpatternmold (for casting)

Examples

  • Zhè zhǒng xīn xíng de shǒu jī fēi cháng shòu huān yíng.
    This new type of phone is very popular.
  • Nǐ xū yào xuǎn zé zhèng què de lèi xíng.
    You need to choose the correct type.
  • Zhè ge mó xíng de líng jiàn xū yào gēng huàn.
    The parts of this model need to be replaced.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
earth
Sound part声符shēngfú
xíngxíng
Same sound today

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

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