diāosù: 雕塑 - Sculpture, Statue

• Keywords: diaosu, 雕塑, sculpture in Chinese, statue in Chinese, Chinese sculpture, diaosu meaning, Chinese art, carving in Chinese, learn Chinese art vocabulary, Terracotta Army
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word for sculpture and statue, 雕塑 (diāosù). This comprehensive guide explores its meaning, character origins, and cultural significance in Chinese art, from the ancient Terracotta Army to modern installations. Discover how to use 雕塑 (diāosù) in everyday conversation, understand its nuances compared to related terms like `雕刻 (diāokè)`, and see practical examples of this essential art vocabulary.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): diāo sù
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: A three-dimensional work of art, or the art of creating such works by carving, modeling, or casting.
• In a Nutshell: `雕塑` is the all-encompassing Chinese word for “sculpture.” It refers to both the finished artwork (like a statue in a park) and the artistic discipline itself (like studying sculpture in college). It combines the concepts of carving away material and modeling with material into one powerful term.

• 雕 (diāo): This character means “to carve” or “to engrave.” It often refers to working with materials like wood, stone, or jade. Think of it as the subtractive process of creating art—removing material to reveal a form.
• 塑 (sù): This character means “to model” or “to mold,” usually with a soft material like clay. The bottom radical, 土 (tǔ), means “earth” or “clay,” giving a clear clue to its origin. This represents the additive process of building up a form.

Together, 雕塑 (diāosù) literally combines “carving” and “molding,” the two fundamental techniques of sculpture. This makes it a perfectly descriptive and comprehensive term for the art form.

In China, `雕塑` is an ancient and revered art form with deep cultural roots, often serving different purposes than its Western counterparts.

• Historical and Spiritual Role: For millennia, Chinese sculpture was less about anatomical perfection (like Greek statues) and more about spiritual, symbolic, or ceremonial significance. Famous examples include:
  • The Terracotta Army (兵马俑 - Bīngmǎyǒng): A vast funerary `雕塑` collection created to protect an emperor in the afterlife.
  • Buddhist Grottoes (e.g., 龙门石窟 - Lóngmén Shíkū): Massive cliff-face carvings created as acts of religious devotion, meant to inspire awe and reverence.
  • Jade Carvings (玉雕 - Yùdiāo): Small, intricate sculptures believed to have protective and spiritual qualities, reflecting Confucian and Taoist values of balance and harmony with nature.
• Comparison to Western “Sculpture”: While a Western museum-goer might associate “sculpture” with Michelangelo's David—a celebration of the idealized human form—the traditional Chinese context for `雕塑` is often tied to religion, death rites, or the appreciation of natural materials. Modern Chinese `雕塑` has, of course, embraced global styles, but this historical foundation still informs the cultural understanding of the art. It's an art form deeply integrated with history, spirituality, and philosophy.

`雕塑` is a common word in contexts related to art, history, and urban design.

• As a Noun (The Artwork): This is its most frequent use. You use it to refer to any kind of sculpture or statue.
  • In a museum: “This sculpture is from the Ming Dynasty.” (这个雕塑是明朝的。)
  • In a city: “There is a large sculpture in the center of the square.” (广场中央有一个很大的雕塑。)
• As a Noun (The Art Form): When talking about art as a field of study or a category.
  • At university: “My major is sculpture.” (我的专业是雕塑。)
  • In conversation: “I am very interested in modern sculpture.” (我对现代雕塑很感兴趣。)
• As a Verb (To Sculpt): This usage is more formal and less common in casual conversation. It's typically used in an artistic or professional context to mean “to create a sculpture.”
  • “The artist is sculpting a portrait.” (这位艺术家正在雕塑一个肖像。)
• As a Metaphor: In literary or formal contexts, `雕塑` can mean “to shape” or “to mold” something abstract, like a person's character or a company's culture.
  • “Good teachers can shape a student's soul.” (好老师可以雕塑学生的灵魂。)

• Example 1:
  • 我很喜欢公园里的那个青铜雕塑。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hěn xǐhuān gōngyuán lǐ de nàge qīngtóng diāosù.
  • English: I really like that bronze sculpture in the park.
  • Analysis: A simple, common sentence using `雕塑` as a noun to refer to a specific object. 青铜 (qīngtóng) means bronze.
• Example 2:
  • 这位艺术家的雕塑作品在世界各地展出。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi yìshùjiā de diāosù zuòpǐn zài shìjiè gèdì zhǎnchū.
  • English: This artist's sculpture works are exhibited all over the world.
  • Analysis: `雕塑作品 (diāosù zuòpǐn)` is a common collocation meaning “sculptural works.”
• Example 3:
  • 他去美术学院学习雕塑专业。
  • Pinyin: Tā qù měishù xuéyuàn xuéxí diāosù zhuānyè.
  • English: He went to the art academy to study the field of sculpture.
  • Analysis: Here, `雕塑` is used as a field of study or academic major (专业 - zhuānyè).
• Example 4:
  • 这座城市的市中心有一个标志性的雕塑。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zuò chéngshì de shìzhōngxīn yǒu yíge biāozhìxìng de diāosù.
  • English: The city center has an iconic sculpture.
  • Analysis: Shows how `雕塑` is used in the context of urban landmarks.
• Example 5:
  • 兵马俑是中国古代雕塑艺术的杰作。
  • Pinyin: Bīngmǎyǒng shì Zhōngguó gǔdài diāosù yìshù de jiézuò.
  • English: The Terracotta Army is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese sculptural art.
  • Analysis: A culturally specific example connecting `雕塑` to a world-famous landmark.
• Example 6:
  • 这个小小的木头雕塑非常精致。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiǎoxiǎo de mùtou diāosù fēicháng jīngzhì.
  • English: This small wooden sculpture is very exquisite.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates that `雕塑` can be used for objects of any size, not just large statues.
• Example 7:
  • 那个艺术家花了三年时间才完成了这个雕塑。
  • Pinyin: Nàge yìshùjiā huā le sān nián shíjiān cái wánchéng le zhège diāosù.
  • English: That artist spent three years to finally complete this sculpture.
  • Analysis: A straightforward sentence about the creation process of a `雕塑`.
• Example 8:
  • 他正在用一块大理石雕塑一匹马。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhèngzài yòng yí kuài dàlǐshí diāosù yì pǐ mǎ.
  • English: He is sculpting a horse from a piece of marble.
  • Analysis: An example of `雕塑` used as a formal verb, “to sculpt.” Note the structure: “use [material] to sculpt [object]”.
• Example 9:
  • 我们明天要去参观一个现代雕塑展。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen míngtiān yào qù cānguān yíge xiàndài diāosù zhǎn.
  • English: We are going to visit a modern sculpture exhibition tomorrow.
  • Analysis: `雕塑展 (diāosù zhǎn)` means “sculpture exhibition,” a useful compound word.
• Example 10:
  • 艰苦的环境雕塑了他坚强的性格。
  • Pinyin: Jiānkǔ de huánjìng diāosù le tā jiānqiáng de xìnggé.
  • English: The harsh environment shaped his strong character.
  • Analysis: This sentence showcases the advanced, metaphorical use of `雕塑` to mean “to shape” or “to mold” an abstract quality.

• 雕塑 (diāosù) vs. 雕刻 (diāokè): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • `雕塑 (diāosù)`: The general term for Sclupture. It includes both carving/engraving (subtractive) and modeling/molding (additive). It's most often used as a noun.
  • `雕刻 (diāokè)`: Specifically means “to carve” or “to engrave.” It only refers to the subtractive process. It is very commonly used as a verb.
  • In short: A clay figure is a `雕塑`, but it is not a work of `雕刻`. A wood carving is both a `雕塑` and a work of `雕刻`. If you want to talk about the action of carving, `雕刻` is usually the better verb. If you're talking about the finished artwork or the art form in general, `雕塑` is the word to use.
• 雕塑 (diāosù) vs. 雕像 (diāoxiàng):
  • `雕塑 (diāosù)` is the general term for any sculpture.
  • `雕像 (diāoxiàng)` specifically means “statue,” usually a figurative work of a person, deity, or animal. All `雕像` are types of `雕塑`, but not all `雕塑` are `雕像` (e.g., an abstract sculpture). When you see a statue of a historical figure, you can call it either a `雕塑` or a `雕像`.
• Incorrect Usage: Do not use `雕塑` for non-artistic shaping.
  • Incorrect: 我在雕塑一个雪人。(Wǒ zài diāosù yíge xuěrén.) - I am sculpting a snowman.
  • Correct: 我在堆一个雪人。(Wǒ zài duī yíge xuěrén.) - I am building/piling up a snowman.
  • Why it's wrong: `雕塑` implies a level of artistic intent and skill. For casual activities like making a snowman or shaping dough, you use more common verbs like `堆 (duī)` (to pile up) or `捏 (niē)` (to pinch/mold).

• 雕像 (diāoxiàng) - Statue. A more specific term for a sculpture of a figure (person, animal, deity).
• 雕刻 (diāokè) - To carve, engrave. Refers specifically to the subtractive method of sculpture and is often used as a verb.
• 艺术 (yìshù) - Art. The broad category that `雕塑` falls under.
• 艺术家 (yìshùjiā) - Artist. A person who creates `雕塑` and other artworks.
• 美术馆 (měishùguǎn) - Art gallery / art museum. The primary place where you would go to see `雕塑`.
• 兵马俑 (bīngmǎyǒng) - The Terracotta Army. The most famous example of ancient Chinese `雕塑`.
• 工艺品 (gōngyìpǐn) - Handicraft, artisan craft. This category can overlap with smaller, decorative `雕塑`.
• 玉雕 (yùdiāo) - Jade carving. A highly prized and culturally significant form of Chinese sculpture.
• 泥塑 (nísù) - Clay sculpture. A term for sculpture made by modeling clay.
• 作品 (zuòpǐn) - A work of art/literature. Often used with `雕塑` to form `雕塑作品` (sculptural work).