自备 (zì bèi) — to bring one's own; to provide for oneself (e.g., supplies, equipment)

Definition

Literally "self-prepared": you arrange something yourself instead of being given or supplied it — common on notices (请自备 / bring your own) for toiletries, stationery, or food.

verb
to bring one's ownto provide for oneself (e.g., supplies, equipment)

Examples

  • ，自备。
    Jiǔ diàn bù tí gōng yá jù, qǐng zì bèi yá shuā hé yá gāo.
    The hotel doesn't provide toiletries; please bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste.
  • 自备。
    Zhè cì yě wài huó dòng yāo qiú měi rén zì bèi wǔ cān.
    This outdoor activity requires everyone to bring their own lunch.
  • 自备，。
    Kǎo shì zhī yǔn xǔ shǐ yòng zì bèi de wén jù, bù néng jiè yòng.
    The exam only permits using your own stationery; you cannot borrow.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
主谓zhǔwèiSubject + predicate

A small sentence frozen into a word: something, and what it does or is.

自zìself
备bèiprepare

自 points to the person, 备 is preparing or providing.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

假借jiǎjièLater borrowed for its sound alone — the picture has nothing to do with today’s meaning.

自 originally drew a nose. It was borrowed purely for its sound to write 自, so the picture and the meaning are unrelated.

Open 自 →

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 備; 备 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 備 shows a person carrying a quiver, matching the meaning 'ready; prepared'; the simplified 备 is a later abbreviation.

Open 备 →

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