====== mótè: 模特 - Model, Mannequin ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **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.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **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.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **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.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
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.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**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 Sentences =====
  * **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 chē**mó**.
    * 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.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **"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。
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[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.