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配备 (pèi bèi) — (verb) to provide, to equip, to allocate; (noun) equipment, fittings, gear

Definition

配备 is both a verb ('to equip/provide with') and a noun ('the equipment itself'). 装备 is the closer match as a verb–noun pair; 设备 is a noun only for larger installations and facilities.

verb
to provideto equipto allocate
noun
equipmentfittingsgear
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 配备。
    Gōng sī wèi měi gè yuán gōng pèi bèi le yì tái xīn diàn nǎo.
    The company provided a new computer for each employee.
  • 配备。
    Zhè liàng chē de ān quán pèi bèi fēi cháng xiān jìn.
    The safety equipment of this car is very advanced.
  • 配备。
    Shí yàn shì pèi bèi le zuì xīn de yí qì.
    The laboratory was equipped with the latest instruments.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

配pèidistribute
备bèiprepare

配 means to distribute or match, and 备 means to prepare or equip, giving the sense of providing gear or staff.

Characters in this word

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

  • 酉酉yǒualcohol vessel
  • 卩卩jiékneeling person

配 is formed by putting 酉, an alcohol vessel, next to 卩, a kneeling person. The reference gives these two parts, but not the reason they combine.

Open 配 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Industry & Manufacturing

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