设置 (shè zhì) — to set up, to install

Definition

General verb 'to set up / install' (software, systems, passwords). 安装 is more technical for hardware/software setup; 设定 is for configuring rules or parameters.

verb
to set upto install

Examples

  • 设置。
    Qǐng bāng wǒ shè zhì yí xià xīn diàn nǎo.
    Please help me set up the new computer.
  • 设置。
    Tā shè zhì le yí gè mì mǎ lái bǎo hù wén jiàn.
    He set a password to protect the files.
  • 设置。
    Wǒ men zài fú wù qì shàng shè zhì le xīn de ruǎn jiàn.
    We installed new software on the server.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

设shèset up
置zhìplace

设 “set up” and 置 “place” combine to mean install.

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 設; 设 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
埶
埶yì設shè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 設 uses 言 (speech) to show the meaning and 埶 to give the sound; this explanation is for 設, not the simplified 设.

Open 设 →

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
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.

Open 置 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 6Technology & Engineering5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.