形象化 (xíng xiàng huā) — symbolization; visualization; concrete representation (of an abstract idea)

Definition

A noun meaning the act of making something abstract concrete through images, symbols, or visual representation. Often used in academic, artistic, or technical writing.

noun
symbolizationvisualizationconcrete representation (of an abstract idea)

Examples

  • 形象化。
    Zhè zhǒng xíng xiàng huā yǒu zhù yú lǐ jiě chōu xiàng gài niàn.
    This kind of visualization helps to understand abstract concepts.
  • 形象化。
    Yì shù zhōng de xíng xiàng huā kě yǐ zēng qiáng qíng gǎn biǎo dá.
    Visualization in art can enhance emotional expression.
  • 形象化。
    Wǒ men xū yào gèng duō de xíng xiàng huā lái biǎo xiàn shù jù.
    We need more visualization to present the data.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

形象image; form
形xíngform象xiàngimage
联合Side by side
化huàbecome

形象 gives the concrete form or image, and 化 gives the sense of becoming that form.

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 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

象 is drawn as an elephant, with a long trunk, a head, and a big body.

Open 象 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

化 shows two person figures, one upright and one upside down, to give the idea of reversal or change.

Open 化 →

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