TongTong
Sign in

兼容 (jiān róng) — to be compatible (with)

Definition

Used for technical compatibility between systems, devices, or software. 匹配 focuses on pairing or matching (colors, partners); 配套 means forming a complete matched set of parts.

verb
to be compatible (with)

Examples

  • 兼容。
    Zhè kuǎn xīn shǒu jī jiān róng suǒ yǒu zhǔ liú yìng yòng.
    This new phone is compatible with all mainstream apps.
  • 兼容，。
    Liǎng gè xì tǒng bù jiān róng, xū yào shēng jí.
    The two systems are not compatible and need an upgrade.
  • 兼容。
    Zhè kuǎn dǎ yìn jī yǔ diàn nǎo wán quán jiān róng.
    This printer is fully compatible with the computer.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

兼jiānboth or concurrently
容rónghold or contain

兼 brings in both sides, and 容 means to hold or contain, so the idea is keeping different things together.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape of 兼 pictures a hand holding two grain stalks, showing two things together.

Open 兼 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀mián
Sound part声符shēngfú
公
公gōng容róng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 容, the 宀 (roof) part points to holding or containing, and 公 gives the sound.

Open 容 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Abstract Concepts

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.