活标本

活標本

huóbiāoběn

idiom

Meanings

1 (fig.) a living example; a textbook case in the flesh
2 a real-life specimen illustrating some issue

Characters

Examples

他的经历就是奋斗成功的活标本。

Tā de jīnglì jiùshì fèndòu chénggōng de huóbiāoběn.

His story is a living example of hard work leading to success.

这位老人是旧上海生活的活标本。

Zhè wèi lǎorén shì jiù Shànghǎi shēnghuó de huóbiāoběn.

This old man is a living specimen of life in old Shanghai.

Tips

usage

标本 usually means a specimen (as in biology or museums). Adding 活 (living) makes the case vivid and contemporary rather than dead and historical. Can be complimentary or damning depending on context.

Stroke Order

活 huó

标 biāo

本 běn