配色 (pèi sè) — to match or harmonize colors

Definition

配色 (pèisè) means to combine or coordinate colors in a design — used in art, fashion, and interior decoration, not as a general verb for 'to color'. The verb-object structure often takes a subject like 衣服, 房间, or 画面.

verb
to match or harmonize colors

Examples

  • 配色。
    Zhè jiàn yī fu de pèi sè hěn hé xié.
    The color matching of this piece of clothing is very harmonious.
  • 配色。
    Shè jì shī zhèng zài kǎo lǜ rú hé pèi sè.
    The designer is considering how to match the colors.
  • 。
    Tā gěi kè tīng pèi le yí gè nuǎn sè diào.
    He matched a warm color scheme for the living room.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

配pèimatch
色sècolor

配 means to match or arrange, and 色 means color, so the meaning is matching colors.

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 →

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

  • 爪爪zhuǎclaw; hand
  • 卩卩jiékneeling person

色 pairs 爪 (a hand) with 卩 (a kneeling person), showing a hand pressing down on the kneeling person.

Open 色 →

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