mótè: 模特 - Model, Mannequin

• Keywords: mote, mótè, 模特, Chinese word for model, fashion model in Chinese, mannequin in Chinese, Chinese supermodel, 模特儿, mote meaning
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word for model, 模特 (mótè). This entry explores its meaning as a fashion model, art model, and mannequin. Discover how this English loanword is used in modern China's booming fashion and e-commerce industries, understand its cultural significance, and learn to use it correctly with 10 practical example sentences.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): mótè
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A person who poses for commercial or artistic purposes; a mannequin used for displaying clothes.
• In a Nutshell: 模特 (mótè) is the modern Chinese word for “model,” and it's a direct phonetic loanword from English. It's used almost exactly like its English counterpart, referring to fashion models on a runway (T台), commercial models in advertisements, and even the plastic mannequins you see in a shop window. While it can occasionally refer to a “role model,” this is less common, and other words are usually preferred.

• 模 (mó): This character means “mould,” “pattern,” or “to imitate.” Think of a mould used to create copies or a pattern that others follow.
• 特 (tè): This character means “special,” “unique,” or “particular.”

It's crucial to understand that 模特 (mótè) is a phonetic loanword. The characters were chosen because their sounds, `mó` and `tè`, closely mimic the sound of the English word “model.” While the characters have their own meanings, they were not combined to create a new, literal meaning here. They were simply borrowed for their sound.

The concept of the 模特 (mótè) is deeply tied to China's modern economic development and integration with global culture. Before the “Reform and Opening-Up” period, the primary “model” was the 劳模 (láomó), or “model worker,” a socialist ideal of a diligent, selfless worker to be emulated. Today, the 模特 (mótè) represents consumer culture, fashion, and global beauty standards. The industry has exploded in the last few decades, with Chinese supermodels like 刘雯 (Liú Wén) gaining international fame. A key difference from Western culture is the immense scale and influence of the 电商模特 (diànshāng mótè), or “e-commerce model.” These models are vital to massive online platforms like Taobao and Tmall. They are not just faces; they are powerful sales drivers and often become 网红 (wǎnghóng), or “internet celebrities,” with millions of followers. This tight integration of modeling, social media, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce is a unique feature of the modern Chinese digital landscape.

模特 (mótè) is a versatile and common term used in various contexts.

• Fashion and Commercial: This is the most frequent use. You can specify the type of model by adding a descriptor before it.
  • 时装模特 (shízhuāng mótè): Fashion model
  • 车模 (chēmó): Car show model (a very popular and sometimes controversial profession in China)
  • 广告模特 (guǎnggào mótè): Advertising model
• Art: In the context of art, it refers to a life model who poses for painters or sculptors.
  • 人体模特 (réntǐ mótè): Life model / Nude model
• Mannequin: It is also the standard word for a mannequin in a store.
  • 服装店的模特 (fúzhuāng diàn de mótè): The clothing store's mannequin.
• Colloquial Usage: In Northern China and in casual speech, you will often hear the diminutive form with a retroflex final, 模特儿 (mótèr), which has the exact same meaning.

• Example 1:
  • 她想成为一名时装模特。
  • Pinyin: Tā xiǎng chéngwéi yī míng shízhuāng mótè.
  • English: She wants to become a fashion model.
  • Analysis: A straightforward sentence expressing a career aspiration. `一名 (yī míng)` is a measure word for professions.
• Example 2:
  • 这家网店的模特很漂亮，所以衣服卖得很好。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā wǎngdiàn de mótè hěn piàoliang, suǒyǐ yīfu mài de hěn hǎo.
  • English: This online shop's model is very pretty, so the clothes sell very well.
  • Analysis: This highlights the importance of e-commerce models (`网店的模特`) in modern China.
• Example 3:
  • 那个模特在T台上走秀的样子非常有气场。
  • Pinyin: Nàge mótè zài T tái shàng zǒuxiù de yàngzi fēicháng yǒu qìchǎng.
  • English: The way that model walks the runway is full of charisma.
  • Analysis: Introduces two related terms: `T台 (T tái)` for runway/catwalk and `走秀 (zǒuxiù)` for “to walk a show.” `有气场 (yǒu qìchǎng)` means to have a strong presence or aura.
• Example 4:
  • 很多美术学生都需要画人体模特。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō měishù xuéshēng dōu xūyào huà réntǐ mótè.
  • English: Many art students need to draw life models.
  • Analysis: Shows the usage of 模特 in an artistic context with the specifier `人体 (réntǐ)`.
• Example 5:
  • 我们需要给窗户里的模特换上春季的新款。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào gěi chuānghu lǐ de mótè huàn shàng chūnjì de xīnkuǎn.
  • English: We need to change the mannequins in the window into the new spring styles.
  • Analysis: This clearly demonstrates 模特 being used to mean “mannequin.”
• Example 6:
  • 她是中国的第一个超级模特。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì Zhōngguó de dì yī gè chāojí mótè.
  • English: She is China's first supermodel.
  • Analysis: Shows the compound word `超级模特 (chāojí mótè)`, which directly translates to “supermodel.”
• Example 7:
  • 当模特对身材的要求很高。
  • Pinyin: Dāng mótè duì shēncái de yāoqiú hěn gāo.
  • English: Being a model has very high requirements for one's figure.
  • Analysis: `当 (dāng)` means “to be” or “to work as” a profession. `身材 (shēncái)` means body shape or figure.
• Example 8:
  • 你看那个模特儿，腿真长！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kàn nàge mótèr, tuǐ zhēn cháng!
  • English: Look at that model, her legs are so long!
  • Analysis: This is a great example of the colloquial, spoken form `模特儿 (mótèr)`.
• Example 9:
  • 汽车展览会上总是有很多漂亮的车模。
  • Pinyin: Qìchē zhǎnlǎnhuì shàng zǒngshì yǒu hěn duō piàoliang de chēmó.
  • English: There are always a lot of beautiful car show models at the auto show.
  • Analysis: Introduces the common abbreviation `车模 (chēmó)` for `汽车模特 (qìchē mótè)`.
• Example 10:
  • 他不是专业的模特，只是朋友的服装店需要帮忙拍照。
  • Pinyin: Tā bùshì zhuānyè de mótè, zhǐshì péngyǒu de fúzhuāng diàn xūyào bāngmáng pāizhào.
  • English: He's not a professional model; he's just helping a friend's clothing store take some pictures.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts a professional (`专业`) model with an amateur one, showing a common real-life scenario.

• “Model” vs. “Role Model”: This is the most common pitfall for learners. While in English “model” can mean “role model,” this is rare for 模特 (mótè). The correct and standard term for a role model (someone you look up to for their behavior or achievements) is 榜样 (bǎngyàng).
  • Correct: 我的老师是我的榜样。(Wǒ de lǎoshī shì wǒ de bǎngyàng.) - My teacher is my role model.
  • Incorrect: 我的老师是我的模特。(Wǒ de lǎoshī shì wǒ de mótè.) - This would confusingly imply your teacher is a fashion model.
• Forgetting it's a Loanword: Learners sometimes try to find a deep, literal meaning in “mould + special.” Remind yourself it's just a sound transliteration. This knowledge simplifies things and helps you accept the term as it is.
• Using it for Product Models: Do not confuse 模特 (mótè) with the word for a product model, like a “car model” or “phone model.” For that, you use 型号 (xínghào) or 款式 (kuǎnshì).
  • Correct: 这是最新型号的手机。(Zhè shì zuìxīn xínghào de shǒujī.) - This is the newest model of phone.
  • Incorrect: 这是最新的模特手机。

• 榜样 (bǎngyàng) - The proper term for a “role model,” someone to be emulated for their character or actions.
• 模特儿 (mótèr) - A colloquial, diminutive form of 模特, common in spoken language, especially in Northern China.
• 超级模特 (chāojí mótè) - Supermodel. A direct translation.
• 车模 (chēmó) - A very common abbreviation for “car show model” (汽车模特).
• 网红 (wǎnghóng) - Internet celebrity or influencer. The worlds of 网红 and 模特 often overlap in China.
• 身材 (shēncái) - A person's figure or body shape, a term frequently used when discussing models.
• 走秀 (zǒuxiù) - To walk the runway, to model in a fashion show. Literally “walk show.”
• T台 (T tái) - The catwalk or runway, from the English “T-stage.”
• 电商 (diànshāng) - E-commerce. Essential context for understanding a huge segment of China's modeling industry.
• 型号 (xínghào) - Model number, type (for products, not people). A key distinction to avoid mistakes.