shape

Compared meaning: outer form or outline (noun).

比较义项：外形；轮廓（名词）。

• shape 本词

  The general, everyday word for an object's overall outer form (round, square, irregular, etc.); can describe almost anything, including clouds or abstract things.

  最常用、最通用的词，指物体的整体外形（圆形、方形、不规则形等），几乎可用于任何事物，包括云朵或抽象的东西。

  The cookie cutter stamped the dough into a heart shape.

  饼干模具把面团压成了心形。

• contour

  A more technical, formal word for the outline or edge line of something, especially land, maps or the human body; often used as plural contours or with the word line.

  更专业、书面的词，指物体的轮廓线或边缘线，尤其用于地形、地图或人体曲线，常以复数 contours 或搭配 line 使用。

  Contour lines on the map show how steeply the mountain's slopes rise.

  地图上的等高线显示出山坡有多陡峭。

Shape and contour both describe the outer form of something. Shape is the common, general word for any object's outline, used every day. Contour is more formal and technical; it names the outline or edge line of something, especially land, maps, or the human body.

两词都表示物体的外部形态，但 shape 是最常用、最通用的词，可指任何物体的整体外形；contour 更书面、专业，特指物体的轮廓线或边缘线，尤其用于地形、地图或人体曲线。此处不比较 shape 表示「状态」（如 in good shape）或用作动词「塑造」的用法。

Compared meaning: to give something a particular shape (verb).

比较义项：塑造，使某物具有特定形状（动词）。

• form

  Form describes parts, people, or ideas coming together into a shape or structure; it rarely means physically working a material by hand, and often appears with abstract nouns like opinion, plan, or habit.

  form 通常指若干部分、人或想法聚合在一起形成某种形状或结构，很少指用手直接加工某种材料，常与“意见、计划、习惯”等抽象名词搭配使用。

  The students formed a straight line outside the classroom door.

  学生们在教室门外排成了一条直线。

• shape 本词

  Shape is the general, everyday word for giving any material or idea a particular form, including hard materials like wood or stone that cannot be poured or pressed into a mold.

  shape 是最通用、日常的词，可用来表示把任何材料或想法塑造成某种形态，即便是木头、石头这类不能倒入模具或按压成形的坚硬材料，也能用 shape。

  He used a small knife to shape the piece of wood.

  他用一把小刀把这块木头削出了形状。

• forge

  Forge is a technical, narrower word: it specifically means to shape metal by heating it and hammering it, so it cannot replace the others for soft or non-metal materials.

  forge 是较专业、范围更窄的词，专指通过加热金属再锤打使其成形，不能用来加工柔软材料或非金属材料。

  The blacksmith forged a horseshoe from a glowing iron bar.

  铁匠把烧红的铁条打制成了一个马蹄铁。

• mold

  Mold implies pressing or pouring a soft, flexible material into or against a fixed pattern, or shaping someone's character over time through repeated influence.

  mold 表示把柔软、可塑的材料压入或倒入固定的模具中塑形，也可以指通过长期反复的影响来塑造一个人的性格。

  She pressed and molded the warm wax into a small heart.

  她把温热的蜡按压塑成了一个小心形。

All four mean to shape something. Form means parts or ideas joining into a structure. Shape is the general word for any material. Forge means to shape metal by hammering it hot. Mold means to press soft material into a pattern, or shape someone's character.

这几个词都表示“使某物具有特定的形状或形态”，但所用材料、方式和语气有所不同，容易被中国学习者混淆。这里不比较 form 作名词表示“表格”的用法，也不比较 forge 表示“伪造”的义项。