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摆设 (bǎi she) — ornament; decorative item; furnishing without practical function; (figurative) something that is just for show; a façade

Definition

A noun for ornaments or furnishings with no practical use — also used figuratively for something that is just for show. Unlike the verb 摆放 (to arrange / set out), 摆设 names the objects, not the action.

noun
ornamentdecorative itemfurnishing without practical function(figurative) something that is just for showa façade
Measure word · 件

Examples

  • 摆设，。
    Zhè xiē bǎi she zhǐ shì zhuāng shì, méi yǒu shí yòng jià zhí.
    These ornaments are just decoration; they have no practical value.
  • 摆设。
    Bàn gōng shì lǐ fàng le hěn duō áng guì de bǎi she.
    The office is filled with expensive decorative items.
  • 摆设，。
    Tā nà ge zhí wèi jiù shì gè bǎi she, gēn běn méi shén me quán lì.
    His position is just for show; it has no real power at all.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

摆bǎiarrange
设shèset up

摆 and 设 both mean to place or set up, so 摆设 is something displayed for its look.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 擺; 摆 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
罷
罷bà擺bǎi
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 擺 has 手 (hand) with 罷 giving the sound bà; the simplified 摆 is a later shorthand, not the original shape.

Open 摆 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 設; 设 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
埶
埶yì設shè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 設 uses 言 (speech) to show the meaning and 埶 to give the sound; this explanation is for 設, not the simplified 设.

Open 设 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9FurnitureMiscellaneous Objects

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