verb HSK 4
to describe · to depict · to portray
Meaning
形容 means to describe or depict something using words, particularly to convey characteristics, appearance, or qualities. It's commonly used when you want to express how something looks, feels, or is in nature, often followed by specific descriptive details.
Usage
Native speakers use 形容 when they want to paint a picture with words or explain the nature of something. It frequently appears in patterns like '形容...为...' (describe...as...) or '用...来形容' (use...to describe). It's more formal than casual spoken alternatives like 说 when describing detailed characteristics.
Examples
- 01我无法形容当时的心情有多激动。.I can't describe how excited I was at that moment.
- 02你能形容一下那个人的样子吗？?Can you describe what that person looked like?
Characters
Common collocations
- 形容词adjective
- 难以形容hard to describe, indescribable
- 无法形容impossible to describe
- 用...形容...to use...to describe
Origin
The word combines 形 (form/shape) and 容 (appearance/countenance), literally meaning to give form to appearance, hence to describe or depict through words.