xínghào: 型号 - Model, Type, Model Number

• Keywords: 型号, xínghào, Chinese for model, what model in Chinese, model number, product type, xinghao meaning, 型号 vs 款式, Chinese for electronics, phone model in Chinese
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 型号 (xínghào), the essential Chinese word for “model,” “type,” or “model number.” This comprehensive guide will teach you how to use 型号 (xínghào) when shopping for electronics, cars, and appliances in China. Learn the crucial difference between 型号 and 款式 (kuǎnshì) (style) with practical examples, making your conversations clearer and more accurate.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xínghào
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A specific model, type, or version of a manufactured product, often identified by a combination of letters and numbers.
• In a Nutshell: 型号 (xínghào) is the word you use to talk about a specific version of a product, like an “iPhone 15 Pro Max” or a “Toyota Camry XSE.” It refers to the official designation from the manufacturer that distinguishes one version from another based on features, specifications, or production year. Think of it as the technical label you'd find on the box or in the product manual.

• 型 (xíng): This character means “model,” “type,” or “shape.” It's a combination of 刑 (xíng), which provides the sound, and 土 (tǔ), meaning “earth” or “clay.” You can imagine it as something formed or shaped from a mold, like pottery.
• 号 (hào): This character means “number,” “mark,” or “sign.” It's used in words like 电话号码 (diànhuà hàomǎ - phone number).
• Together, 型号 (xínghào) literally translates to “model number” or “type mark,” perfectly capturing its meaning as a specific product identifier.

While 型号 (xínghào) doesn't carry deep philosophical weight like `关系 (guānxi)`, its importance lies in the context of modern China as a global manufacturing giant and a massive consumer market. Precision in commerce is highly valued. When buying or selling, ambiguity can lead to problems. 型号 (xínghào) provides the necessary precision. In a country that produces countless variations of every conceivable product, knowing the exact 型号 is not just helpful, it's essential for getting the right item, the correct replacement part, or an accurate price quote. In Western culture, the terms “model,” “type,” and “style” can sometimes be used interchangeably in casual conversation. For example, you might say “I like the new model of that car,” referring to its updated look. In Chinese, there's a clearer distinction. 型号 (xínghào) is almost exclusively for the technical/official designation. The aesthetic “look” or “style” would be described with 款式 (kuǎnshì). This distinction reflects a practical, specification-driven approach common in technical and commercial contexts in China.

型号 (xínghào) is a high-frequency word in daily life, especially in situations involving shopping, technology, and repairs.

• Shopping for Electronics: This is the most common scenario. When you're at an electronics store like Suning (苏宁) or browsing Taobao (淘宝), you'll use 型号 to ask for exactly what you want. Sales staff will always refer to products by their 型号.
• Buying Appliances: From refrigerators to air conditioners, every appliance has a specific 型号 that determines its features, size, and energy efficiency.
• Car Shopping: A car brand has many different lines (e.g., BMW 3 Series, 5 Series), and within each line, there are specific 型号 (e.g., 330i, M340i) that denote different engines and features.
• Product Repairs: When you take a device to be fixed, the first question the technician will ask is, “这个的型号是什么？” (What's the model of this?).

The term is neutral and standard, appropriate for any level of formality.

• Example 1:
  • 请问，这款手机的型号是什么？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, zhè kuǎn shǒujī de xínghào shì shénme?
  • English: Excuse me, what is the model of this phone?
  • Analysis: This is the most standard and polite way to ask for a product's model in a store. `这款 (zhè kuǎn)` means “this style/type,” often used to point to a specific item.
• Example 2:
  • 我想买最新型号的苹果电脑。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zuìxīn xínghào de Píngguǒ diànnǎo.
  • English: I want to buy the latest model of the Apple computer.
  • Analysis: `最新 (zuìxīn)` means “the newest” or “latest.” This phrase is perfect for expressing your desire for the most recent version of a product.
• Example 3:
  • 这两个型号的相机有什么区别？
  • Pinyin: Zhè liǎng ge xínghào de xiàngjī yǒu shénme qūbié?
  • English: What's the difference between these two models of cameras?
  • Analysis: A very practical question for comparing products. `区别 (qūbié)` means “difference.”
• Example 4:
  • 我的车型号是特斯拉 Model 3。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de chē xínghào shì Tèsīlā Model 3.
  • English: My car's model is a Tesla Model 3.
  • Analysis: A simple statement for telling someone your car model. Note how the English model name “Model 3” is used directly after 型号.
• Example 5:
  • 对不起，我们没有那个型号的存货了。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒmen méiyǒu nàge xínghào de cúnhuò le.
  • English: Sorry, we don't have that model in stock anymore.
  • Analysis: A common response from a salesperson. `存货 (cúnhuò)` is a key vocabulary word for “inventory” or “stock.”
• Example 6:
  • 你可以在产品背面找到型号信息。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ zài chǎnpǐn bèimiàn zhǎodào xínghào xìnxī.
  • English: You can find the model information on the back of the product.
  • Analysis: `背面 (bèimiàn)` means “back side,” and `信息 (xìnxī)` means “information.” This is a useful instruction.
• Example 7:
  • 这个型号的空调比较省电。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xínghào de kōngtiáo bǐjiào shěngdiàn.
  • English: This model of air conditioner is relatively energy-efficient.
  • Analysis: `省电 (shěngdiàn)` literally means “saves electricity.” `比较 (bǐjiào)` means “relatively” or “more,” used for making soft comparisons.
• Example 8:
  • 华为今年发布了好几个新型号。
  • Pinyin: Huáwèi jīnnián fābùle hǎo jǐ ge xīn xínghào.
  • English: Huawei released several new models this year.
  • Analysis: `发布 (fābù)` means “to release” or “to launch” (a product). `好几个 (hǎo jǐ ge)` is a colloquial way to say “several” or “quite a few.”
• Example 9:
  • 维修之前，我需要确认一下机器的型号。
  • Pinyin: Wéixiū zhīqián, wǒ xūyào quèrèn yīxià jīqì de xínghào.
  • English: Before doing the repairs, I need to confirm the machine's model number.
  • Analysis: A typical sentence you might hear from a technician. `维修 (wéixiū)` means “to repair,” and `确认 (quèrèn)` means “to confirm.”
• Example 10:
  • 我们工厂可以生产不同型号的零件。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngchǎng kěyǐ shēngchǎn bùtóng xínghào de língjiàn.
  • English: Our factory can produce different models of parts.
  • Analysis: This shows the usage of 型号 in a manufacturing or business context. `零件 (língjiàn)` means “(machine) parts.”

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 型号 (xínghào) and 款式 (kuǎnshì).

• 型号 (xínghào) - Model/Type: Refers to the technical specification, the manufacturer's official designation. It's about function, features, and internal components.
  • Correct: iPhone 15 Pro 的型号
  • Correct: 这台冰箱的型号是 Haier BCD-216W. (This fridge's model number is…)
• 款式 (kuǎnshì) - Style/Design: Refers to the aesthetic appearance, the look, the design. It's about form and fashion.
  • Correct: 我喜欢这件衣服的款式。 (I like the style of this piece of clothing.)
  • Correct: 今年流行什么款式的汽车？ (What style of car is popular this year?)

Common Mistake: Using 型号 to talk about clothing style.

• Incorrect: `这件衬衫的型号很新颖。`
• Why it's wrong: A shirt has a style (`款式`) and a size (`尺码 chǐmǎ`), but not a technical “model number.” You're talking about its aesthetic design, not its technical specification.
• Correct: `这件衬衫的款式很新颖。` (The style of this shirt is very novel/new.)

• 款式 (kuǎnshì) - The most important related term. It means “style” or “design,” focusing on aesthetics, not technical specs.
• 规格 (guīgé) - Specifications. A specific 型号 will have a list of 规格 (e.g., screen size, memory, processor speed).
• 版本 (bǎnběn) - Version, edition. Often used for software (e.g., “premium version”), books, or movies. It can sometimes overlap with 型号.
• 系列 (xìliè) - Series, product line. A broader category that contains multiple 型号. (e.g., The “iPhone 15 系列” includes the iPhone 15, Pro, and Pro Max 型号).
• 类型 (lèixíng) - Type, category. A very general term. For example, a smartphone is a 类型 of phone.
• 品牌 (pǐnpái) - Brand. The company that makes the product (e.g., Apple, Huawei, Haier).
• 产品 (chǎnpǐn) - Product. The general term for a manufactured item.
• 编号 (biānhào) - Serial Number. A unique number assigned to a single, individual item for identification or tracking, whereas 型号 refers to all items of that same model.
• 尺码 (chǐmǎ) - Size (for clothing or shoes). Don't confuse this with 型号.