====== shímáo: 时髦 - Fashionable, Stylish, In Vogue ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  *   **Keywords:** shimao, 时髦, fashionable in Chinese, stylish in Chinese, Chinese word for trendy, how to say fashion in Chinese, modern Chinese slang, Chinese adjectives, HSK 5 vocabulary.
  *   **Summary:** Learn how to use **时髦 (shímáo)**, the essential Chinese word for "fashionable" or "stylish." This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage. Whether you're describing a trendy outfit, a cool hairstyle, or even a new idea, **时髦** is the perfect adjective to show something is in vogue. Master this term to sound more natural when discussing modern trends and pop culture in Mandarin Chinese.
===== Core Meaning =====
  *   **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shí máo
  *   **Part of Speech:** Adjective
  *   **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  *   **Concise Definition:** Adhering to the current fashion; stylish, fashionable.
  *   **In a Nutshell:** **时髦 (shímáo)** is your go-to word for calling something or someone "fashionable." Think of it as the most direct translation for "in style." It's a positive term used to compliment a person's appearance, clothing, or even their way of thinking if it's very contemporary. While fashion changes, **时髦** remains the classic way to describe what's currently popular.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  *   **时 (shí):** This character means "time," "era," or "season." It points to something being contemporary or related to the present moment.
  *   **髦 (máo):** Originally, this character referred to the fine, long hair on a baby's head, or the bangs of a child. In ancient times, it also came to mean an outstanding or elite person. In this context, think of it as something that is distinguished, special, or stands out.
When combined, **时髦 (shímáo)** literally translates to something like "the distinguished style of the times" or "the fashion of the era." It perfectly captures the idea of a style that is prominent and desirable right now.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In China, the concept of being **时髦** has undergone a dramatic transformation. For decades, particularly during the mid-20th century, conformity was emphasized, and fashion was largely uniform (e.g., the "Mao suit" or 中山装, zhōngshānzhuāng). To be **时髦** was not a widespread aspiration.
Today, in urban China, being **时髦** is a significant aspect of modern life and self-expression, fueled by global brands, social media, and a booming economy.
A useful comparison is between **时髦 (shímáo)** and the English word "trendy." While very similar, "trendy" can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation, implying a fleeting or superficial fad (e.g., "He's a trendy dresser, but has no personal style"). **时髦**, on the other hand, is almost always a neutral-to-positive compliment. It simply means someone or something is aligned with the current, accepted aesthetic. It's less about being a "fashion victim" and more about being pleasantly up-to-date.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**时髦** is a very common and versatile adjective used across different age groups in daily conversation.
  *   **Complimenting People:** It's a great compliment for someone's sense of style. You can say someone's outfit (穿搭, chuāndā), hairstyle (发型, fàxíng), or general appearance is **时髦**.
  *   **Describing Objects:** It can be used for clothing, accessories, furniture, car designs, or anything with an aesthetic component.
  *   **Describing Ideas:** Less commonly, but still validly, it can describe an idea or concept that is very current and popular. For example, "Working remotely is a very **时髦** idea now."
The term is generally informal but not slang, so it can be used in most everyday situations without sounding out of place. It carries a positive connotation; being called **时髦** is always a good thing.
===== Example Sentences =====
  *   **Example 1:**
    *   你今天穿得很**时髦**！
    *   Pinyin: Nǐ jīntiān chuān de hěn **shímáo**!
    *   English: You're dressed very fashionably today!
    *   Analysis: A common and direct compliment. The structure `[Verb] de hěn [Adjective]` is used to comment on the manner of an action.
  *   **Example 2:**
    *   这款手机的设计非常**时髦**。
    *   Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn shǒujī de shèjì fēicháng **shímáo**.
    *   English: The design of this model of phone is extremely stylish.
    *   Analysis: Here, **时髦** is used to describe an object's design, not a person. `款 (kuǎn)` is a measure word for models or styles of products.
  *   **Example 3:**
    *   我奶奶虽然八十岁了，但思想一点儿也不落伍，还挺**时髦**的。
    *   Pinyin: Wǒ nǎinai suīrán bāshí suì le, dàn sīxiǎng yīdiǎnr yě bù luòwǔ, hái tǐng **shímáo** de.
    *   English: Although my grandma is 80, her thinking isn't outdated at all; it's actually quite modern/fashionable.
    *   Analysis: This shows **时髦** can apply to abstract things like a person's mindset (思想, sīxiǎng). `挺...的 (tǐng...de)` is an informal way to say "quite."
  *   **Example 4:**
    *   这种喇叭裤现在又不**时髦**了。
    *   Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng lǎbākù xiànzài yòu bù **shímáo** le.
    *   English: These kinds of flared trousers are not fashionable again.
    *   Analysis: Using `不 (bù)` negates the adjective, meaning "not fashionable" or "out of style." The `又 (yòu)` implies this has happened before.
  *   **Example 5:**
    *   她总是能找到最**时髦**的餐厅。
    *   Pinyin: Tā zǒngshì néng zhǎodào zuì **shímáo** de cāntīng.
    *   English: She can always find the trendiest restaurants.
    *   Analysis: Demonstrates the use of `最 (zuì)` for "most," creating the superlative "most fashionable."
  *   **Example 6:**
    *   在上海，你可以看到各种各样**时髦**的年轻人。
    *   Pinyin: Zài Shànghǎi, nǐ kěyǐ kàndào gèzhǒng gèyàng **shímáo** de niánqīngrén.
    *   English: In Shanghai, you can see all sorts of fashionable young people.
    *   Analysis: **时髦** is used here as an attributive adjective, placed before the noun `年轻人 (niánqīngrén)` with the particle `的 (de)`.
  *   **Example 7:**
    *   为了显得**时髦**，他花了很多钱买名牌。
    *   Pinyin: Wèile xiǎnde **shímáo**, tā huāle hěn duō qián mǎi míngpái.
    *   English: In order to appear fashionable, he spent a lot of money on famous brands.
    *   Analysis: `为了 (wèile)` means "in order to." `显得 (xiǎnde)` means "to appear" or "to seem." This sentence shows the motivation behind an action.
  *   **Example 8:**
    *   你觉得这个发型还**时髦**吗？
    *   Pinyin: Nǐ juéde zhège fàxíng hái **shímáo** ma?
    *   English: Do you think this hairstyle is still fashionable?
    *   Analysis: A simple question using the `...吗 (ma)?` structure. `还 (hái)` means "still."
  *   **Example 9:**
    *   跟她比起来，我感觉自己太不**时髦**了。
    *   Pinyin: Gēn tā bǐ qǐlái, wǒ gǎnjué zìjǐ tài bù **shímáo** le.
    *   English: Compared to her, I feel I'm so unfashionable.
    *   Analysis: The `跟...比起来 (gēn...bǐ qǐlái)` structure is a common way to make comparisons. `太...了 (tài...le)` expresses "too..."
  *   **Example 10:**
    *   复古风是最近很**时髦**的一种风格。
    *   Pinyin: Fùgǔfēng shì zuìjìn hěn **shímáo** de yī zhǒng fēnggé.
    *   English: Retro is a very fashionable style recently.
    *   Analysis: `复古风 (fùgǔfēng)` means "retro style." This sentence describes a specific trend as being **时髦**.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  *   **时髦 (shímáo) vs. 时尚 (shíshàng):** This is the most common point of confusion.
    *   **时髦 (shímáo)** is an **adjective**. It describes something as being fashionable. (e.g., "Her clothes are fashionable" -> 她的衣服很**时髦**).
    *   **时尚 (shíshàng)** is more often a **noun** meaning "fashion" as a concept, industry, or abstract quality. (e.g., "She works in the fashion industry" -> 她在**时尚**界工作). It can also be an adjective, but it feels more formal and abstract than **时髦**.
    *   **Incorrect:** `~~这件衣服很时尚。~~` (While some native speakers might say this, it's more standard and natural to say `这件衣服很时髦`).
    *   **Correct:** `他很懂**时尚**。` (He knows a lot about fashion.)
    *   **Correct:** `他穿得很**时髦**。` (He dresses fashionably.)
  *   **Not just for "new":** Don't use **时髦** just to describe something that is new. A new phone might be functional, but its design is what makes it **时髦** or not. The word specifically relates to aesthetics and popular taste.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[时尚]] (shíshàng) - "Fashion" as a noun/concept. The industry or idea that **时髦** things belong to.
  *   [[潮流]] (cháoliú) - "Trend" or "tide." Refers to a specific popular movement, often used for youth culture (e.g., a music trend, a fashion trend).
  *   [[流行]] (liúxíng) - "Popular" or "prevalent." A broader term that can apply to songs, slang, or even illnesses. Something can be **流行** without being **时髦** (e.g., the flu).
  *   [[过时]] (guòshí) - "Outdated," "obsolete." The direct antonym of **时髦**.
  *   [[洋气]] (yángqì) - "Western-style," "stylish." Historically meant having a foreign, modern flair. Can sometimes sound a bit dated but is still used, especially by older generations.
  *   [[酷]] (kù) - "Cool." A direct phonetic loan from English. Refers more to attitude and general coolness than just fashion.
  *   [[新潮]] (xīncháo) - "New tide," avant-garde, very modern. Similar to **时髦** but can imply something is more cutting-edge or even a bit niche.
  *   [[经典]] (jīngdiǎn) - "Classic." The opposite of a fleeting trend. A classic style is timeless and is therefore not dependent on being **时髦**.