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形成 (xíng chéng) — to form; to take shape

Definition

Used when something develops or comes into being naturally over time (a habit, opinion, formation). 成型 focuses on a physical object becoming complete; 塑造 is more deliberate, like shaping a character or image.

verb
to formto take shape
Easily confused

Examples

  • 形成。
    Hé shàng xíng chéng le bīng.
    Ice formed on the river.
  • 形成。
    Tā men xíng chéng le liáng hǎo de hé zuò jīng shén.
    They formed a good cooperative spirit.
  • 形成。
    Wǒ duì zhè ge wèn tí xíng chéng le zì jǐ de kàn fǎ.
    I formed my own opinion on this issue.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

形xíngform
成chéngbecome

形 (form) and 成 (become) together mean to form or take shape.

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
戊戊wù
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng成chéng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

成 puts 戊, a weapon, beside 丁, which gives the sound. The weapon part relates to protection, as in the old sense of city walls.

Open 成 →
Appears in
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