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储备 (chǔ bèi) — (noun) reserves; (verb) to store up

Definition

储备 is the formal term for strategic reserves — grain, oil, foreign exchange, talent. More institutional than 储存, and used as a noun for the reserves themselves; its measure word is 储量 for natural-resource quantities.

noun
reserves
verb
to store up

Examples

  • 储备。
    Guó jiā de liáng shi chǔ bèi hěn chōng zú.
    The country's grain reserves are very sufficient.
  • 储备。
    Wǒ men xū yào chǔ bèi gèng duō de shí wù.
    We need to store up more food.
  • 储备。
    Wài huì chǔ bèi duì jīng jì hěn zhòng yào.
    Foreign exchange reserves are very important for the economy.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

储chǔstore
备bèiprepare

储 store and 备 prepare combine to mean keep things ready.

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 儲; 储 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
人人rén
Sound part声符shēngfú
諸
諸zhū儲chǔ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 儲 uses 人 as a person part and 諸 for sound. This describes 儲, not the simplified 储.

Open 储 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Business & Commerce

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