yàngběn: 样本 - Sample, Specimen, Example

Keywords: 样本, yangben, what does yangben mean, sample in Chinese, specimen in Chinese, Chinese word for sample, example in Chinese, 样本 vs 例子, medical specimen, product sample, data sample

Summary: Learn the essential Chinese noun 样本 (yàngběn), which translates to “sample,” “specimen,” or “model.” This term is crucial in technical, scientific, and business contexts, referring to a representative part taken from a larger whole for testing, analysis, or demonstration. Whether you're discussing a medical specimen, a product sample for quality control, or a data sample for a research study, understanding 样本 is key to navigating formal and professional conversations in Mandarin Chinese.

Pinyin (with tone marks): yàngběn

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: A sample, specimen, or model taken from a larger group to represent the whole.

In a Nutshell: 样本 (yàngběn) is the word for a representative piece of a larger thing. Think of it as a concrete “slice” used for analysis or demonstration. It's the blood sample a doctor takes to understand your health, the fabric swatch a designer shows you for a new sofa, or the set of data a researcher analyzes to understand a trend. It's a formal, technical term for a part that stands in for the whole.

样 (yàng): This character means “pattern,” “type,” or “manner.” It's found in common words like `样子 (yàngzi)` for “appearance” and `一样 (yíyàng)` for “the same.” It contributes the idea of a specific “type” or “form.”

本 (běn): This character originally pictured a tree (木) with a mark at its base, meaning “root” or “origin.” It has since expanded to mean “source,” “foundation,” or “copy” (as in a book, `书本 shūběn`).

When combined, 样本 (yàngběn) literally means “pattern-source” or “type-origin.” This powerfully conveys the idea of a sample that represents the original pattern or source material.

While not a deeply philosophical term like 关系 (guānxi), 样本 (yàngběn) plays a vital role in the practical, modern aspects of Chinese society. Its frequent use reflects China's position as a global manufacturing powerhouse and a growing leader in scientific research. The concept of verifying quality, authenticity, and safety through a 样本 is a cornerstone of international trade and scientific rigor.

Comparison to “Sample”: In English, “sample” can be very broad. You can have a “free food sample” at a store, which is a casual, consumable item. In Chinese, 样本 (yàngběn) is almost never used for this. You wouldn't ask for a `食品样本 (shípǐn yàngběn)` to eat. Instead, you'd use `试吃 (shìchī)`, meaning “to try eating.” 样本 implies the item is for analysis, testing, or display, not immediate personal use or consumption. It carries a more formal, technical, and objective connotation than the all-purpose English word “sample.”

样本 is a standard, neutral term used in formal and professional settings.

样品 (yàngpǐn) - A product sample. A more specific type of `样本` used exclusively for commercial goods.

例子 (lìzi) - The most common word for an abstract “example” or “instance” used to explain something. The primary source of confusion with `样本`.

标本 (biāoběn) - A specimen, especially one that is preserved and mounted for scientific study or display, like an insect in a frame or a pressed flower. More formal and scientific than `样本`.

模型 (móxíng) - A model, mockup, or replica (e.g., a model airplane, an architectural model). It represents the form and structure, not a piece of the original substance.

范例 (fànlì) - A model example, a paradigm case. An ideal or representative case to be studied or followed, more abstract than `样本`.

抽样 (chōuyàng) - (Verb) To sample; the act of taking a sample.

化验 (huàyàn) - (Verb/Noun) To conduct a laboratory test; a lab test. This is what is often performed on a `样本`.

试用装 (shìyòngzhuāng) - A trial-size package, like a small bottle of shampoo or lotion. The “sample” you get at a cosmetics counter.