yàngshì: 样式 - Style, Pattern, Type, Form

• Keywords: yangshi, 样式, Chinese for style, Chinese for pattern, what does yangshi mean, style in Chinese, design pattern Chinese, format in Chinese, CSS style Chinese
• Summary: 样式 (yàngshì) is a fundamental and versatile Chinese noun used to describe the “style,” “pattern,” “type,” or “form” of an object. It's a practical term you'll encounter everywhere, from discussing the style of clothing and furniture to defining the format of a document or the visual styling in a computer application. Understanding 样式 is key to describing the concrete appearance and design of things in everyday Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yàngshì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A particular style, pattern, model, or form.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 样式 (yàngshì) as the “blueprint” or “template” for how something looks or is structured. It's less about an abstract artistic vibe and more about the concrete, definable characteristics of an object's design. If you can point to the specific cut of a dress, the layout of a webpage, or the pattern on a teacup, you're talking about its 样式.

• 样 (yàng): This character means “appearance,” “sample,” “model,” or “manner.” It's the same character found in 样子 (yàngzi), which means “appearance.” It points to the way something looks or a sample of something.
• 式 (shì): This character relates to “style,” “form,” “pattern,” or a “ceremony.” It implies a standard or a specific, established way of doing or making something. You see it in words like 方式 (fāngshì), meaning “way” or “method.”
• Together, 样 (sample/appearance) and 式 (form/style) combine to create 样式 (yàngshì), literally a “sample form” or an “appearance style.” This perfectly captures the meaning of a specific, often reproducible, design, pattern, or format.

While 样式 (yàngshì) is primarily a practical, descriptive term, its frequent use reflects a culture that often values clear categorization and established forms. In everything from traditional art to modern manufacturing, having a defined model or pattern is important. A useful comparison for English speakers is to contrast 样式 with the broad English word “style.” In English, “style” can be deeply personal and abstract (e.g., “her writing style,” “his style of leadership”). 样式 is almost always more concrete and tangible. It's closer to the English “model,” “type,” or “pattern.” For instance, you would use 样式 to describe a “checked pattern shirt” but would use a different word, 风格 (fēnggé), to describe a person's overall “punk rock style.” This distinction highlights a focus on the specific form (样式) versus the overall aesthetic spirit (风格). In China, whether you're buying a product or filling out a government form, there is often an expected or standard 样式 to follow.

样式 is an extremely common word used in many modern contexts.

• Fashion and Consumer Goods: This is one of the most common uses. It describes the specific cut, design, or model of clothes, shoes, bags, furniture, cars, etc.
  • e.g., 新款式 (xīn kuǎnshì - a near synonym often used here) means “new model/style.”
• Technology and Computing: 样式 is crucial in the digital world. It refers to formatting and visual design in software and on the web.
  • The “CSS” in “Cascading Style Sheets” is a direct translation of 样式: 层叠样式表 (céngdié yàngshì biǎo).
  • It's used for font style, paragraph style, and template layouts in programs like Word or PowerPoint.
• Documents and Forms: It refers to the layout or format of a document.
  • A teacher might say, “Write your report in this 样式 (format).”
• Design and Patterns: It can describe any visual pattern, like the design on wallpaper, fabric, or tiles.

The term is neutral and its formality depends on the context, but it is appropriate in both casual conversation and formal or technical writing.

• Example 1:
  • 我很喜欢这件衣服的样式。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hěn xǐhuān zhè jiàn yīfú de yàngshì.
  • English: I really like the style of this dress.
  • Analysis: A very common, everyday use for talking about clothing design.
• Example 2:
  • 这家店有很多不同样式的家具。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā diàn yǒu hěnduō bùtóng yàngshì de jiājù.
  • English: This store has many different styles of furniture.
  • Analysis: Here, 样式 refers to different models or design categories of furniture (e.g., modern, rustic, minimalist).
• Example 3:
  • 你能帮我改一下这个文档的字体样式吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bāng wǒ gǎi yīxià zhège wéndàng de zìtǐ yàngshì ma?
  • English: Can you help me change the font style of this document?
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the technical use of 样式 in computing and software.
• Example 4:
  • 请按照这个样式填写表格。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng ànzhào zhège yàngshì tiánxiě biǎogé.
  • English: Please fill out the form according to this sample/format.
  • Analysis: Used in a formal or instructional context, referring to a specific layout or format.
• Example 5:
  • 这款手机的样式太旧了，我想要一个新款的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn shǒujī de yàngshì tài jiù le, wǒ xiǎng yào yī ge xīnkuǎn de.
  • English: The style of this phone is too old, I want a new model.
  • Analysis: Shows how 样式 is used for product models. “新款” (xīn kuǎn) is short for “新款式” (xīn kuǎnshì).
• Example 6:
  • 墙纸的样式很漂亮，但是颜色太深了。
  • Pinyin: Qiángzhǐ de yàngshì hěn piàoliang, dànshì yánsè tài shēn le.
  • English: The pattern on the wallpaper is beautiful, but the color is too dark.
  • Analysis: Here, 样式 clearly translates to “pattern.”
• Example 7:
  • 我们可以提供多种样式供您选择。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen kěyǐ tígōng duōzhǒng yàngshì gōng nín xuǎnzé.
  • English: We can provide multiple styles for you to choose from.
  • Analysis: A common phrase in sales and customer service, offering different versions or models of a product.
• Example 8:
  • 这个建筑的样式是古典还是现代的？
  • Pinyin: Zhège jiànzhù de yàngshì shì gǔdiǎn háishì xiàndài de?
  • English: Is the style of this building classical or modern?
  • Analysis: While 风格 (fēnggé) could also be used here for the overall aesthetic, 样式 is also correct to ask about the specific design form.
• Example 9:
  • 他们的工作服样式都一样。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de gōngzuòfú yàngshì dōu yīyàng.
  • English: The style of their work uniforms is all the same.
  • Analysis: Highlights the idea of a standardized form or model.
• Example 10:
  • 我不确定哪种发型样式适合我。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bù quèdìng nǎ zhǒng fàxíng yàngshì shìhé wǒ.
  • English: I'm not sure which hairstyle suits me.
  • Analysis: Used to talk about specific types or cuts of hairstyles.

The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 样式 from similar-sounding words.

• `样式 (yàngshì)` vs. `风格 (fēnggé)`: This is the most critical distinction.
  • 样式 (yàngshì) is concrete: a specific pattern, model, or format. (e.g., the format of a resume, the plaid pattern on a shirt).
  • 风格 (fēnggé) is abstract: an overall aesthetic, mood, or genre. (e.g., a minimalist design style, a writer's literary style, rock music style).
  • Incorrect: ~~这个简历的风格不对。~~ (The style of this resume is wrong.)
  • Correct: 这个简历的样式或格式不对。(The style/format of this resume is wrong.)
  • Correct: 我喜欢他电影的风格。(I like the style of his movies.)
• `样式 (yàngshì)` vs. `样子 (yàngzi)`:
  • 样式 (yàngshì) refers to a defined type or pattern.
  • 样子 (yàngzi) refers to the general appearance or look of a specific thing or person at a moment. It can also mean “sample”.
  • Incorrect: ~~他生气的样式很可怕。~~ (His angry style is scary.)
  • Correct: 他生气的样子很可怕。(His angry appearance/look is scary.)
  • Correct: 这件衬衫有三种样式。(This shirt comes in three styles/patterns.)

• 风格 (fēnggé) - Refers to an abstract aesthetic, genre, or artistic style. It's about the “vibe,” whereas 样式 is about the concrete form.
• 款式 (kuǎnshì) - A very close synonym, but almost exclusively used for the style/model of commercial products like clothing, bags, watches, and cars. Often interchangeable with 样式 in these contexts.
• 格式 (géshì) - Format. This is more technical than 样式 and is used specifically for the layout of documents, data, and computer files (e.g., file format, date format).
• 样子 (yàngzi) - The general appearance or look of someone or something. It can also mean “sample” or “manner.”
• 图案 (tú'àn) - A decorative picture, design, or pattern printed on a surface. It is more specific than 样式; a 样式 might contain a 图案.
• 类型 (lèixíng) - Type, category, or kind. A much broader term for classification than 样式.
• 形式 (xíngshì) - Form or shape. Can be more abstract, referring to the structure of an event, an artwork, or a piece of writing, as opposed to its content.
• 设计 (shèjì) - Design (can be a noun or verb). Refers to the plan or the process of creating something, while 样式 is the resulting form or style itself.