Definition
奇形怪状 is a four-character idiom meaning 'bizarre or grotesque in shape'. It describes objects, rocks, buildings, or even abstract things that have an odd, unnatural, or strange appearance. The literal translation 'strange shape, weird appearance' is close, but the idiom carries a connotation of being unusual to the point of being striking or even ugly. You can use it as a predicate (这些石头奇形怪状的) or as an attributive (奇形怪状的建筑).
f.e.
bizarre in shapegrotesqueoddly shaped
Examples
- 奇形怪状。Hǎitān shàng yǒu hěnduō qí xíng guài zhuàng de shítou.There are many oddly shaped rocks on the beach.
- 奇形怪状。Zhè zuò qí xíng guài zhuàng de jiànzhù xīyǐn le hěnduō rén pāizhào.This bizarrely shaped building attracted many people to take photos.
- 奇形怪状。Tā shōucáng le yìxiē qí xíng guài zhuàng de mùdiāo yìshùpǐn.He collected some oddly shaped wood carving artworks.
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