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备份 (bèi fèn) — (noun) a backup (copy of data); (verb) to back up (data)

Definition

备份 is a data/IT term for a 'backup' copy of files or a system — narrower than 备用 (general 'spare/reserve') and 后备 ('backup' personnel or resources). As a verb, it means specifically to back up digital data.

noun
a backup (copy of data)
verb
to back up (data)

Examples

  • 备份。
    Nǐ zuì hǎo měi tiān bèi fèn yí cì shù jù.
    You'd better back up your data once a day.
  • 备份，。
    Zhè ge bèi fèn fēi cháng zhòng yào, bié shān le.
    This backup is very important; don't delete it.
  • 备份。
    Tā zhèng zài gěi shǒu jī zuò bèi fèn.
    He is making a backup of his phone.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

备bèiprepare; keep ready
份fèncopy; portion

The first part means prepare or keep ready, and the second part means a copy, together referring to a backup or backing up.

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 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 →

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
亻Written in full as人rén
Sound part声符shēngfú
分
分fēn份fèn(r)
Same sound today

份 is built from 亻, the person form written in full as 人, and 分, which gives the sound.

Open 份 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Computers & Internet

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