形容 xíngróng to describe
to describe; (literary) countenance; appearance
How to remember 形容: 形 form + 容 contain = to describe.
Characters
How it is used
- To describe in words, especially by likeness or vivid depiction - 很难用语言形容 (hěn nán yòng yǔyán xíngróng) it's hard to put into words.
- Different from 描述 (miáoshù, to describe factually/in detail): 形容 leans on adjectives and comparisons to convey an impression or feeling.
- The grammar word 形容词 (xíngróngcí) means 'adjective', which fits - 形容 is the describing-with-qualities verb.
Example sentences
- 在这种情况下，形容词放在名词前面。 Zài zhèzhǒng qíngkuàng xià, xíngróngcí fàngzài míngcí qiánmiàn.In this case, the adjective goes before the noun.
- 她把他形容为侦探。 Tā bǎ tā xíngróng wèi zhēntàn.She described him as a detective.