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示范 (shì fàn) — to demonstrate, to show how to do something

Definition

示范 means 'to demonstrate by showing how' — actively performing the action so others can learn. 演示 is similar but focuses on showing a process or product; 显示 just displays info.

verb
to demonstrateto show how to do something

Examples

  • 示范。
    Lǎo shī gěi xué shēng men shì fàn le zhèng què de zuò fǎ.
    The teacher demonstrated the correct method to the students.
  • 示范，。
    Tā xiān shì fàn le yí gè xīn dòng zuò, rán hòu ràng dà jiā liàn xí.
    He first demonstrated a new movement, then let everyone practice.
  • ，示范。
    Bǐ sài qián, jiào liàn shì fàn le xū yào zhù yì de dì fāng.
    Before the competition, the coach demonstrated the points that needed attention.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

示shìshow
范fànmodel

示范 brings together 示 (show) and 范 (model) to mean demonstrating a model.

Characters in this word

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

示 began as a drawing of an altar. Extra strokes were added to keep it distinct from unrelated old forms.

Open 示 →

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
艸艸cǎograss
Sound part声符shēngfú
氾
氾fán范fàn
Same sound today

范 pairs 艸 (grass) with 氾, which gives its sound.

Open 范 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6

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