多样

• Pinyin: duō yàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 多 = two 夕 (evening) stacked, suggesting abundance; 样 = 木 (wood) + 羊 (sheep, phonetic)

Meaning

Diverse; varied; of many kinds. Having a wide range of different types.

Often used with 化 to form 多样化 (diversification). Appears in contexts about culture, biodiversity, food, and lifestyle choices. The longer form 多种多样 is a common four-character phrase meaning 'all sorts of' or 'a wide variety of.'

Examples

1. 中国的美食种类非常多样。 The types of Chinese food are extremely diverse.
2. 现在年轻人的生活方式越来越多样了。 Young people's lifestyles are becoming more and more varied now.
3. 这个城市的文化活动很多样。 The cultural activities in this city are very diverse.

Usage Guide

Context: description, culture

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这里的商品种类很多样。(The variety of products here is very diverse.)
• 文化多样性是很重要的。(Cultural diversity is very important.)

Don't Say

• 单独用'多样'修饰具体数量 (Don't use 多样 to describe a specific number of items — 多样 describes variety in kind, not quantity; use 很多 for large numbers)

Origin & History

Compound of 多 (many) and 样 (type, kind). Literally 'many types,' indicating variety.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal