造型

• Pinyin: zào xíng
• Hanzi breakdown: 造 = 辶 (walk/movement) + 告 (announce), to create or build; 型 = 土 (earth) + 刑 (punish/form), a mould or model

Meaning

Style; design; shape; look. Refers to the overall visual appearance of a person, object, or creation.

Widely used in fashion, hairdressing, art, and product design. 发型造型 means hairstyle, and 角色造型 refers to a character's costume or design. In everyday speech it often refers to a person's styled appearance, especially hair and clothing combined.

Examples

1. 她今天的造型很特别，很多人都多看了她几眼。 Her look today was very distinctive and many people took a second glance at her.
2. 这部电影的角色造型设计非常精细，获得了业界好评。 The character design in this film was extremely detailed and received high praise from the industry.
3. 我想换一个新造型，所以预约了发型师。 I want a new look, so I made an appointment with a hairstylist.

Usage Guide

Context: fashion, art, design, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 她的舞台造型非常吸引眼球。(Her stage look is very eye-catching.)
• 设计师为这款新车打造了独特的造型。(The designer created a unique design for this new car.)

Don't Say

• 用'造型'来描述抽象概念或性格 (Don't use 造型 to describe abstract traits or personality — it refers to visual appearance and physical form only)

Origin & History

A compound of 造 (to create, to make) and 型 (type, model, mould). Together they mean the act of shaping or the resulting shape or design.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal