布置 (bù zhì) — to decorate, to set up (a space); to assign, to… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

布置 covers three senses: decorate a space, assign tasks, or arrange/deploy people and resources. For spaces, 装修 is for permanent renovation; 打扮 is for dressing people. For tasks, it's broader than 收拾's tidying sense.

verb

to decorateto set up (a space)to assignto give (homework, tasks)to deployto arrange (people, equipment) in positions

Examples

布置。
Tā huā le yí gè xià wǔ bù zhì zì jǐ de fáng jiān.
She spent an afternoon decorating her own room.
布置。
Lǎo shī gěi wǒ men bù zhì le hěn duō shǔ jià zuò yè.
The teacher assigned us a lot of summer homework.
布置。
Jīng lǐ zhèng zài bù zhì xīn de gōng zuò ān pái.
The manager is deploying the new work arrangements.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

布bùspread

布 means to spread or arrange, and 置 means to place; together they mean to set things in order.

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

巾巾jīnkerchief

Sound part声符shēngfú

父

父fù布bù

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

布 pairs 巾, a kerchief, with 父 as a sound part.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

罒直置

Meaning part形符xíngfú

罒Written in full as网wǎng

Sound part声符shēngfú

直

直zhí置zhì

Same sound today

置 is built from 罒, a net, on top and 直 below; 直 gives the sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 6 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Order & Arrangement 5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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