形容 (xíng róng) — to describe (appearance, qualities, feelings, etc.)

Definition

General verb 'to describe' (feelings, scenes, people). 描述 is more concrete/narrative; 描绘 and 描写 emphasize vivid, detailed depiction. 长相 refers specifically to a person's facial appearance.

verb
to describe (appearance, qualities, feelings, etc.)

Examples

  • 形容。
    Tā de biǎo qíng hěn nán yòng yǔ yán xíng róng.
    His expression is hard to describe in words.
  • 形容？
    Nǐ néng xíng róng yí xià zuó tiān fā shēng le shén me ma?
    Can you describe what happened yesterday?
  • 形容。
    Qǐng nǐ yòng jǐ gè cí xíng róng yí xià nǐ de gǎn shòu.
    Please use a few words to describe your feelings.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

形xíngshape
容róngappearance

形 (shape) and 容 (appearance) together mean to describe or one's appearance.

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
彡彡shān
Sound part声符shēngfú
井
井jǐng形xíng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

形 is made from 彡 and 井, with 井 providing the sound.

Open 形 →

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
宀宀mián
Sound part声符shēngfú
公
公gōng容róng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 容, the 宀 (roof) part points to holding or containing, and 公 gives the sound.

Open 容 →
Appears in
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