tú'àn: 图案 - Pattern, Design, Motif

• Keywords: 图案, tu'an, Chinese pattern, Chinese design, what is tu'an, design in Chinese, motif, pattern meaning in Chinese, decorative design, auspicious patterns, HSK 4 vocabulary.
• Summary: 图案 (tú'àn) is a fundamental Chinese noun that means “pattern,” “design,” or “motif.” This comprehensive guide explores its meaning, from the characters 图 (tú - picture) and 案 (àn - design), to its crucial role in Chinese art, fashion, and architecture. Learn how to use this HSK 4 word in everyday conversation to describe everything from the design on a t-shirt to intricate traditional motifs, with 10+ practical examples and deep cultural insights into auspicious Chinese patterns.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tú'àn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A pattern, design, or decorative motif applied to a surface.
• In a Nutshell: “图案” is the go-to word for any visual design or pattern you see on an object. Think of the floral pattern on a dress, the geometric design on a rug, the logo on a t-shirt, or the intricate motifs on ancient pottery. It's a broad and very common term for any kind of decorative visual element, whether simple or complex, modern or traditional.

• 图 (tú): This character originally meant a map or a chart. Today, its meaning has expanded to “picture,” “drawing,” or “diagram.” The outer radical 囗 (wéi) represents an enclosure or frame, suggesting something contained visually.
• 案 (àn): This character's original meaning was a low table or tray (notice the 木 'mù' for wood at the bottom). By extension, it came to mean a “plan,” “proposal,” or “design”—something laid out on a table to be seen and considered.

When combined, 图案 (tú'àn) literally means a “picture design” or a “drawing plan.” This perfectly captures the essence of a visual pattern created for a specific purpose, usually decorative.

In Chinese culture, patterns are rarely just for decoration; they are rich with symbolism and meaning. This is especially true for 吉祥图案 (jíxiáng tú'àn), or “auspicious patterns,” which are designs meant to bring good fortune, health, longevity, and happiness. A great comparison is how Western culture views a bat versus how Chinese culture does. In the West, a bat pattern is almost exclusively associated with Halloween, vampires, and darkness. In China, the word for bat, 蝠 (fú), is a homophone for the word for good fortune, 福 (fú). Therefore, a 图案 featuring bats is a classic symbol of blessings and happiness, often seen on traditional furniture, clothing, and architecture. This highlights a key cultural difference: while Western design often prioritizes pure aesthetics (like stripes or polka dots), traditional Chinese design often embeds wishes and philosophical concepts directly into its visual language. Other famous examples include:

• Fish (鱼 yú): Symbolizes abundance, as it sounds like 余 (yú), meaning “surplus.”
• The Endless Knot (盘长 páncháng): Represents longevity, continuity, and the eternal nature of Buddhist teachings.
• Peonies (牡丹 mǔdan): Symbolize wealth, prosperity, and high social status.

Understanding 图案 is not just about vocabulary; it's a window into the values and beliefs woven into the fabric of Chinese culture.

图案 is a highly versatile and common word used in many modern contexts. It is generally a neutral, descriptive term.

• Fashion and Shopping: You'll use it constantly when talking about clothes, bags, and accessories.
  • e.g., “I don't like the 图案 on this dress; it's too flashy.”
• Interior Design: When discussing wallpaper, carpets, tiles, or furniture.
  • e.g., “Let's choose a simpler 图案 for the wallpaper.”
• Graphic and Digital Design: When referring to logos, icons, or background designs on websites and apps.
  • e.g., “The app's icon is a very clever 图案.”
• Art and History: When describing the decorative motifs on ceramics, bronzes, or paintings.
  • e.g., “This ancient vase is famous for its blue and white 图案.”

The word is suitable for both formal and informal situations. It's as appropriate in a design firm as it is in a clothing market.

• Example 1:
  • 我很喜欢你T恤上的图案。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hěn xǐhuān nǐ T-xù shàng de tú'àn.
  • English: I really like the design on your T-shirt.
  • Analysis: A very common, everyday use. “T恤上的图案” (T-xù shàng de tú'àn) literally means “the pattern that is on the T-shirt.”
• Example 2:
  • 这块地毯的图案太复杂了，我不喜欢。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuài dìtǎn de tú'àn tài fùzá le, wǒ bù xǐhuān.
  • English: The pattern of this carpet is too complicated, I don't like it.
  • Analysis: Here, 图案 is used to express an opinion about an object's aesthetic. `复杂 (fùzá)` is a great adjective to use with `图案`.
• Example 3:
  • 很多中国的传统图案都有特殊的含义。
  • Pinyin: Hěnduō Zhōngguó de chuántǒng tú'àn dōu yǒu tèshū de hányì.
  • English: Many traditional Chinese patterns have special meanings.
  • Analysis: This sentence touches upon the cultural significance of patterns, as discussed in the section above.
• Example 4:
  • 那个设计师擅长创造抽象的图案。
  • Pinyin: Nàge shèjìshī shàncháng chuàngzào chōuxiàng de tú'àn.
  • English: That designer is skilled at creating abstract patterns.
  • Analysis: This shows how 图案 is used in a professional context (design) and can be modified by adjectives like `抽象 (chōuxiàng)` for abstract or `几何 (jǐhé)` for geometric.
• Example 5:
  • 孩子在纸上画了一些可爱的图案。
  • Pinyin: Háizi zài zhǐ shàng huà le yīxiē kě'ài de tú'àn.
  • English: The child drew some cute patterns on the paper.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates that 图案 can refer to simple, hand-drawn designs, not just professional or complex ones.
• Example 6:
  • 这款手机壳有很多不同的图案可以选择。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn shǒujī ké yǒu hěnduō bùtóng de tú'àn kěyǐ xuǎnzé.
  • English: This model of phone case has many different designs to choose from.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of a sentence you would hear or use while shopping.
• Example 7:
  • 墙纸的图案应该和家具的风格搭配。
  • Pinyin: Qiángzhǐ de tú'àn yīnggāi hé jiājù de fēnggé dāpèi.
  • English: The wallpaper pattern should match the style of the furniture.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 图案 in the context of interior design and introduces the useful verb `搭配 (dāpèi)`, meaning “to match” or “to go with.”
• Example 8:
  • 这个品牌的标志图案是一只鸟。
  • Pinyin: Zhège pǐnpái de biāozhì tú'àn shì yī zhī niǎo.
  • English: The logo design of this brand is a bird.
  • Analysis: Here, 图案 is combined with `标志 (biāozhì)` to mean “logo design,” showing its use in branding and marketing.
• Example 9:
  • 你能帮我把这个图案打印出来吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bāng wǒ bǎ zhège tú'àn dǎyìn chūlái ma?
  • English: Can you help me print this design out?
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a practical use in an office or a print shop, referring to a digital design file.
• Example 10:
  • 这种瓷器以其独特的蓝色图案而闻名。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng cíqì yǐ qí dútè de lánsè tú'àn ér wénmíng.
  • English: This type of porcelain is famous for its unique blue patterns.
  • Analysis: A more formal, descriptive sentence you might read in a museum or art history book. The structure “以…而闻名” (yǐ…ér wénmíng) means “to be famous for…”.

• 图案 (tú'àn) vs. 设计 (shèjì): This is the most common point of confusion.
  • 图案 (tú'àn) is the finished visual pattern itself. It's the *result*.
  • 设计 (shèjì) is the *process* of designing, or the overall design *concept* (including function, form, etc.).
  • Correct: 这个杯子上的图案很漂亮。(The pattern on this cup is beautiful.)
  • Incorrect: 这个杯子上的设计很漂亮。(Unless you're praising the overall design concept of the cup, not just the visible pattern.)
  • Think: You create a `设计 (shèjì)` to produce a `图案 (tú'àn)`.
• 图案 (tú'àn) vs. “Pattern” (of behavior): A crucial false friend. The English word “pattern” can mean a recurring sequence, like a “pattern of behavior” or a “weather pattern.” Chinese 图案 is strictly visual and decorative. You absolutely cannot use it to describe non-visual patterns.
  • Correct: 他有一种行为模式 (tā yǒu yī zhǒng xíngwéi móshì). - He has a pattern of behavior.
  • Incorrect: 他有一种行为图案。
• 图案 (tú'àn) vs. 花样 (huāyàng): These are similar but not identical.
  • 图案 is the general, all-encompassing word for any design or pattern (geometric, abstract, floral, etc.).
  • 花样 (huāyàng) often implies a more intricate, complex, or floral pattern. It can also be used figuratively to mean “tricks” or “variety.” For a simple geometric design, 图案 is better.

• 设计 (shèjì) - The verb “to design” or the noun “a design (concept).” It's the process that creates a `图案`.
• 花纹 (huāwén) - Decorative patterns, very similar to `图案` but often used for patterns that are engraved, carved, or have a more textured feel.
• 纹理 (wénlǐ) - Texture or grain (like wood grain, stone texture). This refers to the natural pattern on a material's surface, not an applied design.
• 吉祥图案 (jíxiáng tú'àn) - Auspicious patterns. A key cultural concept where designs carry symbolic good wishes.
• 标志 (biāozhì) - A logo, sign, or symbol. A specific type of `图案` used for identification.
• 装饰 (zhuāngshì) - Decoration; to decorate. `图案` is a very common form of `装饰`.
• 图画 (túhuà) - A drawing or a painting. A `图画` is a complete picture, whereas a `图案` is often a repeating or standalone decorative element.
• 几何图案 (jǐhé tú'àn) - Geometric pattern. A common type of `图案`.