偶像 ǒuxiàng idol
How to remember 偶像: 偶 accidentally + 像 alike = idol.
Characters
How it is used
- An idol - both a worshipped image and, more commonly today, a celebrity fans adore: 追星偶像 (zhuīxīng ǒuxiàng) the star one idolizes; 偶像剧 (ǒuxiàngjù) idol drama.
- Note 偶 here means image/effigy, not 'accidentally' (as in 偶尔). The word literally is 'effigy-image.'
- Also used figuratively: 他是我的偶像 (tā shì wǒ de ǒuxiàng) he's my role model/idol.