模拟 (mó nǐ) — to simulate; to imitate

Definition

模拟 emphasizes creating a working model or environment that imitates the real thing (a simulator, simulated scenario). 模仿 is broader — copying someone's behavior, style, or appearance. 仿真 focuses on technical emulation of systems.

verb
to simulateto imitate

Examples

  • 。
    Fēi xíng yuán zài mó nǐ qì lǐ xùn liàn.
    Pilots train in a simulator.
  • 模拟。
    Zhè cì kǎo shì wán quán mó nǐ le zhēn shí chǎng jǐng.
    This exam completely simulated a real scenario.
  • 模拟。
    Tā men yòng jì suàn jī mó nǐ tiān qì biàn huà.
    They use computers to simulate weather changes.

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.

模móimitate
拟nǐimitate

模 and 拟 both mean imitate, so together they denote simulation or modeling.

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
木木mùtree
Sound part声符shēngfú
莫
莫mò模mó
Same sound today

The left part 木 is tree; the right part 莫 gives the sound.

Open 模 →

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
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
以
以yǐ拟nǐ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

拟 is made of 扌 (hand) and 以. The 扌 side is the hand part, and 以 gives the sound.

Open 拟 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Science (General)

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