匹敌 (pǐ dí) — to be a match for, to be equal to (in strength,…

Definition

A formal/literary verb meaning 'to be a match for' in strength or ability — used in writing (e.g. 无人能匹敌, 难以匹敌) rather than everyday speech.

verb

to be a match forto be equal to (in strength, ability, etc.)

匹敌。
Tā de shí lì wú rén néng pǐ dí.
His strength is unmatched by anyone.
匹敌。
Zhè liǎng jiā gōng sī de chǎn pǐn nán yǐ pǐ dí.
The products of these two companies are hard to match.
匹敌。
Tā de néng lì zài bān lǐ jī hū méi yǒu pǐ dí de duì shǒu.
Her ability has almost no rival in the class.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

匹, match, and 敌, rival, together mean being equal to someone.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

乙

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The form 匹 is often explained as 石 (rock) with 乙 giving the sound, but its original picture is uncertain.

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 敵; 敌 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

攴攴pūto tap; to hit

Sound part声符shēngfú

啻

啻chì敵dí

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 敵 pairs 啻 as a sound part with 攴, a part for tapping or hitting.

Appears in