形形色色

xíngxíngsèsè

idiom HSK 7-9 #24,861

Meanings

1 all kinds of; of every description; all sorts of

Characters

Literally 'shapes shapes, colors colors' — every possible form and hue. The AABB reduplication pattern emphasizes variety and abundance.

Examples

街上有形形色色的人。

Jiēshàng yǒu xíngxíngsèsè de rén.

There are all kinds of people on the street.

市场上有形形色色的商品。

Shìchǎng shàng yǒu xíngxíngsèsè de shāngpǐn.

There are all sorts of goods in the market.

Tips

grammar

This follows the AABB reduplication pattern common in Chinese idioms: 大大小小 (big and small), 方方面面 (every aspect), 形形色色 (all kinds). The repetition adds emphasis and a sense of 'lots and lots of variety.'

Stroke Order

形 xíng

色 sè