型

• Pinyin: xíng
• Hanzi breakdown: 型 = 刑 (mold/form, phonetic) + 土 (earth) — a shape cast in an earthen mold

Meaning

Type; model; mold; a particular form or variety of something.

Used as a suffix or standalone character to indicate a type or model. Common in compounds like 血型 (blood type), 发型 (hairstyle), 新型 (new model), 体型 (body shape). When used alone, it often appears in technical or classification contexts.

Examples

1. 她去理发店换了一个新发型，朋友们都说很适合她。 She got a new hairstyle at the salon and her friends all said it suited her very well.
2. 护士问他是什么血型，他回答说是O型。 The nurse asked what his blood type was and he answered type O.
3. 这辆摩托车的车型很特别，在路上非常显眼。 This motorbike's model is very distinctive and stands out on the road.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, everyday, classification

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他的血型是A型，性格比较细心。(His blood type is A; he tends to be quite careful by nature.)
• 这款产品有三种型可以选择，功能各有不同。(This product comes in three models to choose from, each with different features.)

Don't Say

• 单独用型来代替型号，如这台机器是什么型？(Avoid using 型 alone when asking about a product's model number — say 型号 instead, as in 这台机器的型号是什么？)

Origin & History

Originally depicted a mold or cast used in metalwork. The character 型 = 刑 (form/mold) + 土 (earth), evoking the shape of something pressed in earth.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal