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同步 (tóng bù) — to synchronize; to be in sync with

Definition

Means 'in step' — events, devices, or actions happening at the same pace or time. Unlike 同期 (same period, e.g. same month of a different year), 同步 stresses matching pace or simultaneous action, not just a shared time frame.

verb
to synchronizeto be in sync with

Examples

  • 同步。
    Qǐng bǎ shǒu jī hé diàn nǎo tóng bù yí xià.
    Please synchronize your phone and computer.
  • 同步。
    Tā men de bù fá fēi cháng tóng bù.
    Their steps are very synchronized.
  • 同步。
    Liǎng gè xiàng mù xū yào tóng bù tuī jìn.
    The two projects need to be advanced synchronously.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

同tóngsame
步bùstep

「同」means same and 「步」means step, giving the idea of moving together in sync.

Characters in this word

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

同 originally drew a pipe. It is the old form of 筒.

Open 同 →

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

步 uses two 止 (foot) forms, one reversed, to show one foot stepping in front of the other.

Open 步 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Abstract ConceptsTechnology & Engineering

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