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配给 (pèi gěi) — (noun) ration, allocation (of scarce goods); (verb) to ration, to allocate (supplies, resources)

Definition

A formal verb/noun meaning the official allocation or rationing of scarce goods by an authority (e.g., wartime food, fuel). It implies top-down distribution by a government or institution, not a casual or market exchange.

noun
rationallocation (of scarce goods)
verb
to rationto allocate (supplies, resources)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • ，配给。
    Zhàn zhēng shí qī, zhèng fǔ shí xíng le pèi gěi zhì dù.
    During the war, the government implemented a rationing system.
  • 配给。
    Nà shí hou liáng shi dōu shì àn rén tóu pèi gěi de.
    At that time, grain was rationed per capita.
  • 配给。
    Zhè ge guó jiā yī rán duì qì yóu shí xíng pèi gěi.
    This country still rations gasoline.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

配pèiallocate
给gěigive

配 (allocate) and 给 (give) combine to mean distributing limited goods.

Characters in this word

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

  • 酉酉yǒualcohol vessel
  • 卩卩jiékneeling person

配 is formed by putting 酉, an alcohol vessel, next to 卩, a kneeling person. The reference gives these two parts, but not the reason they combine.

Open 配 →

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 給; 给 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
合
合hé給gěi
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 給 uses 糸 (silk) for meaning and 合 for sound, and its old sense was rich, abundant, perhaps referring to precious silk; 给 is a later simplified form.

Open 给 →
Appears in
Economy & Trade

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