排版 (pái bǎn) — to typeset, to lay out (text/images for print or digital publication)

Definition

A publishing/design verb meaning to arrange text and images on a page — the Chinese equivalent of 'typeset' or 'lay out' (a book, magazine, poster). Usually used for printed or digital publications, not casual writing.

verb
to typesetto lay out (text/images for print or digital publication)

Examples

  • 排版。
    Zhè běn shū de pái bǎn gōng zuò yǐ jīng wán chéng le.
    The typesetting work for this book is already done.
  • ，。
    Tā zuó tiān pái le yì tiān de bǎn, yǎn jing dōu huā le.
    He spent the whole day typesetting yesterday, and his eyes are blurry.
  • 排版。
    Zá zhì de pái bǎn xū yào chóng xīn tiáo zhěng.
    The magazine's layout needs to be readjusted.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

排páiarrange
版bǎnprinting plate

To 排 the 版 is to arrange the printing plate or page for publication.

Characters in this word

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
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
非
非fēi排pái
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

排 uses 扌 (hand) to show arranging something with the hand, and 非 for the sound; this gives the sense of placing things in a line.

Open 排 →

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
片片piàn
Sound part声符shēngfú
反
反fǎn版bǎn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

版 is formed by 片 and 反, with 片 contributing the sense and 反 the sound.

Open 版 →

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