shímáo: 时髦 - Fashionable, Stylish, In Vogue

• Keywords: shimao, 时髦, fashionable in Chinese, stylish in Chinese, Chinese word for trendy, how to say fashion in Chinese, modern Chinese slang, Chinese adjectives, HSK 5 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn how to use 时髦 (shímáo), the essential Chinese word for “fashionable” or “stylish.” This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage. Whether you're describing a trendy outfit, a cool hairstyle, or even a new idea, 时髦 is the perfect adjective to show something is in vogue. Master this term to sound more natural when discussing modern trends and pop culture in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shí máo
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: Adhering to the current fashion; stylish, fashionable.
• In a Nutshell: 时髦 (shímáo) is your go-to word for calling something or someone “fashionable.” Think of it as the most direct translation for “in style.” It's a positive term used to compliment a person's appearance, clothing, or even their way of thinking if it's very contemporary. While fashion changes, 时髦 remains the classic way to describe what's currently popular.

• 时 (shí): This character means “time,” “era,” or “season.” It points to something being contemporary or related to the present moment.
• 髦 (máo): Originally, this character referred to the fine, long hair on a baby's head, or the bangs of a child. In ancient times, it also came to mean an outstanding or elite person. In this context, think of it as something that is distinguished, special, or stands out.

When combined, 时髦 (shímáo) literally translates to something like “the distinguished style of the times” or “the fashion of the era.” It perfectly captures the idea of a style that is prominent and desirable right now.

In China, the concept of being 时髦 has undergone a dramatic transformation. For decades, particularly during the mid-20th century, conformity was emphasized, and fashion was largely uniform (e.g., the “Mao suit” or 中山装, zhōngshānzhuāng). To be 时髦 was not a widespread aspiration. Today, in urban China, being 时髦 is a significant aspect of modern life and self-expression, fueled by global brands, social media, and a booming economy. A useful comparison is between 时髦 (shímáo) and the English word “trendy.” While very similar, “trendy” can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation, implying a fleeting or superficial fad (e.g., “He's a trendy dresser, but has no personal style”). 时髦, on the other hand, is almost always a neutral-to-positive compliment. It simply means someone or something is aligned with the current, accepted aesthetic. It's less about being a “fashion victim” and more about being pleasantly up-to-date.

时髦 is a very common and versatile adjective used across different age groups in daily conversation.

• Complimenting People: It's a great compliment for someone's sense of style. You can say someone's outfit (穿搭, chuāndā), hairstyle (发型, fàxíng), or general appearance is 时髦.
• Describing Objects: It can be used for clothing, accessories, furniture, car designs, or anything with an aesthetic component.
• Describing Ideas: Less commonly, but still validly, it can describe an idea or concept that is very current and popular. For example, “Working remotely is a very 时髦 idea now.”

The term is generally informal but not slang, so it can be used in most everyday situations without sounding out of place. It carries a positive connotation; being called 时髦 is always a good thing.

• Example 1:
  • 你今天穿得很时髦！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ jīntiān chuān de hěn shímáo!
  • English: You're dressed very fashionably today!
  • Analysis: A common and direct compliment. The structure `[Verb] de hěn [Adjective]` is used to comment on the manner of an action.
• Example 2:
  • 这款手机的设计非常时髦。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn shǒujī de shèjì fēicháng shímáo.
  • English: The design of this model of phone is extremely stylish.
  • Analysis: Here, 时髦 is used to describe an object's design, not a person. `款 (kuǎn)` is a measure word for models or styles of products.
• Example 3:
  • 我奶奶虽然八十岁了，但思想一点儿也不落伍，还挺时髦的。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ nǎinai suīrán bāshí suì le, dàn sīxiǎng yīdiǎnr yě bù luòwǔ, hái tǐng shímáo de.
  • English: Although my grandma is 80, her thinking isn't outdated at all; it's actually quite modern/fashionable.
  • Analysis: This shows 时髦 can apply to abstract things like a person's mindset (思想, sīxiǎng). `挺…的 (tǐng…de)` is an informal way to say “quite.”
• Example 4:
  • 这种喇叭裤现在又不时髦了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng lǎbākù xiànzài yòu bù shímáo le.
  • English: These kinds of flared trousers are not fashionable again.
  • Analysis: Using `不 (bù)` negates the adjective, meaning “not fashionable” or “out of style.” The `又 (yòu)` implies this has happened before.
• Example 5:
  • 她总是能找到最时髦的餐厅。
  • Pinyin: Tā zǒngshì néng zhǎodào zuì shímáo de cāntīng.
  • English: She can always find the trendiest restaurants.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the use of `最 (zuì)` for “most,” creating the superlative “most fashionable.”
• Example 6:
  • 在上海，你可以看到各种各样时髦的年轻人。
  • Pinyin: Zài Shànghǎi, nǐ kěyǐ kàndào gèzhǒng gèyàng shímáo de niánqīngrén.
  • English: In Shanghai, you can see all sorts of fashionable young people.
  • Analysis: 时髦 is used here as an attributive adjective, placed before the noun `年轻人 (niánqīngrén)` with the particle `的 (de)`.
• Example 7:
  • 为了显得时髦，他花了很多钱买名牌。
  • Pinyin: Wèile xiǎnde shímáo, tā huāle hěn duō qián mǎi míngpái.
  • English: In order to appear fashionable, he spent a lot of money on famous brands.
  • Analysis: `为了 (wèile)` means “in order to.” `显得 (xiǎnde)` means “to appear” or “to seem.” This sentence shows the motivation behind an action.
• Example 8:
  • 你觉得这个发型还时髦吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde zhège fàxíng hái shímáo ma?
  • English: Do you think this hairstyle is still fashionable?
  • Analysis: A simple question using the `…吗 (ma)?` structure. `还 (hái)` means “still.”
• Example 9:
  • 跟她比起来，我感觉自己太不时髦了。
  • Pinyin: Gēn tā bǐ qǐlái, wǒ gǎnjué zìjǐ tài bù shímáo le.
  • English: Compared to her, I feel I'm so unfashionable.
  • Analysis: The `跟…比起来 (gēn…bǐ qǐlái)` structure is a common way to make comparisons. `太…了 (tài…le)` expresses “too…”
• Example 10:
  • 复古风是最近很时髦的一种风格。
  • Pinyin: Fùgǔfēng shì zuìjìn hěn shímáo de yī zhǒng fēnggé.
  • English: Retro is a very fashionable style recently.
  • Analysis: `复古风 (fùgǔfēng)` means “retro style.” This sentence describes a specific trend as being 时髦.

• 时髦 (shímáo) vs. 时尚 (shíshàng): This is the most common point of confusion.
  • 时髦 (shímáo) is an adjective. It describes something as being fashionable. (e.g., “Her clothes are fashionable” → 她的衣服很时髦).
  • 时尚 (shíshàng) is more often a noun meaning “fashion” as a concept, industry, or abstract quality. (e.g., “She works in the fashion industry” → 她在时尚界工作). It can also be an adjective, but it feels more formal and abstract than 时髦.
  • Incorrect: `~~这件衣服很时尚。~~` (While some native speakers might say this, it's more standard and natural to say `这件衣服很时髦`).
  • Correct: `他很懂时尚。` (He knows a lot about fashion.)
  • Correct: `他穿得很时髦。` (He dresses fashionably.)
• Not just for “new”: Don't use 时髦 just to describe something that is new. A new phone might be functional, but its design is what makes it 时髦 or not. The word specifically relates to aesthetics and popular taste.

• 时尚 (shíshàng) - “Fashion” as a noun/concept. The industry or idea that 时髦 things belong to.
• 潮流 (cháoliú) - “Trend” or “tide.” Refers to a specific popular movement, often used for youth culture (e.g., a music trend, a fashion trend).
• 流行 (liúxíng) - “Popular” or “prevalent.” A broader term that can apply to songs, slang, or even illnesses. Something can be 流行 without being 时髦 (e.g., the flu).
• 过时 (guòshí) - “Outdated,” “obsolete.” The direct antonym of 时髦.
• 洋气 (yángqì) - “Western-style,” “stylish.” Historically meant having a foreign, modern flair. Can sometimes sound a bit dated but is still used, especially by older generations.
• 酷 (kù) - “Cool.” A direct phonetic loan from English. Refers more to attitude and general coolness than just fashion.
• 新潮 (xīncháo) - “New tide,” avant-garde, very modern. Similar to 时髦 but can imply something is more cutting-edge or even a bit niche.
• 经典 (jīngdiǎn) - “Classic.” The opposite of a fleeting trend. A classic style is timeless and is therefore not dependent on being 时髦.