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

HSK 2

街上有形形色色的人。

Jiēshàng yǒu xíngxíngsèsè de rén.

There are all kinds of people on the street.

HSK 3

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