新型
xīnxíng · HSK 4
of new type
🆕 新 (new) + 型 (type/model) = new type / novel pattern
新 means new or fresh; 型 means type, model, or mold (as in a casting form). Together 新型 literally reads new-type, used for novel models, patterns, or innovations like 新型冠状病毒 (novel coronavirus).
新 — 立 stand + 木 tree + 斤 axe
Originally depicted cutting fresh wood with an axe (斤) from a tree (木), with 辛/立 as the phonetic component. The original meaning of 'firewood' was later written as 薪, while 新 took on the extended sense of 'new' or 'fresh'.
型 — earth 土 + 刑 (xíng, phonetic)
型 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The 土 (earth) component points to its original meaning: a clay or earthen mold used for casting. The right side 刑 supplies the sound. From 'casting mold' it broadened to mean 'model, type, pattern' in modern usage.