Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== tú'àn: 图案 - Pattern, Design, Motif ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **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. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **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. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **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. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== 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. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **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 Sentences ===== * **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...". ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **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. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[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`.