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塑造 (sù zào) — to mold, to shape (physically); (fig.) to create, to develop (an image, character, market, etc.); to portray (in literature)

Definition

塑造 covers both physical molding and, more commonly, shaping abstract things like character, image, or market. For portraying in writing or art, prefer 描写/描绘 (purely depictive) or 刻画 (in vivid detail).

verb
to moldto shape (physically)(fig.) to createto develop (an image, character, market, etc.)to portray (in literature)

Examples

  • 塑造。
    Tā yòng nián tǔ sù zào le yí gè rén xiàng.
    He molded a human figure out of clay.
  • 塑造。
    Zhè bù xiǎo shuō sù zào le yí gè yǒng gǎn de zhǔ rén gōng.
    This novel portrays a brave protagonist.
  • 塑造。
    Liáng hǎo de jiào yù kě yǐ sù zào yí gè rén de pǐn gé.
    A good education can shape a person's character.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

塑sùmold
造zàomake/shape

塑 (mold) and 造 (make/shape) are parallel actions, together meaning to shape or model something.

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
土土tǔearth
Sound part声符shēngfú
朔
朔shuò塑sù
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

塑 pairs 土 (earth) with 朔, which gives the sound.

Open 塑 →

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
辵辵chuòto walk
口口kǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
屮
屮chè造zào
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

Its origin is unclear, but early forms of 造 include 辵 (to walk) and 口, with 屮 as a sound part, and mean go or arrive.

Open 造 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Art & Fine Arts

Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.