铺垫 (pū diàn) — bedding, cushion, mat (physical padding); foreshadowing, groundwork, preparation (figurative, e.g. in a story or plan)

Definition

Literally 'spread a cushion/mat' (physical padding), but commonly used as 'foreshadowing, groundwork, preparation' in writing, speeches, or plans.

noun
beddingcushionmat (physical padding)foreshadowinggroundworkpreparation (figurative, e.g. in a story or plan)

Examples

  • 铺垫，。
    Dì shàng pù le yī céng pū diàn, zuò shàng qù hěn shū fu.
    A layer of cushioning was spread on the floor, making it very comfortable to sit on.
  • 铺垫。
    Xiǎo shuō kāi tóu de nà duàn miáo xiě wèi hòu miàn de qíng jié zuò le hěn hǎo de pū diàn.
    The description at the beginning of the novel serves as excellent foreshadowing for the later plot.
  • 铺垫。
    Tán pàn qián de yǒu hǎo jiāo liú shì yì zhǒng zhòng yào de pū diàn.
    Friendly communication before negotiations is an important form of groundwork.

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.

铺pùto lay down
垫diànto line

铺 and 垫 both mean to lay down or line, giving the sense of bedding or groundwork.

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 鋪; 铺 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
金金jīngold; metal
Sound part声符shēngfú
甫
甫fǔ鋪pū
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 鋪 pairs 金 (gold; metal) with 甫 as a sound part; the simplified 铺 is a shorthand.

Open 铺 →

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 墊; 垫 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
土土tǔearth
Sound part声符shēngfú
執
執zhí墊diàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 墊 pairs 土, showing earth, with 執, providing the sound; this is about 墊, not the simplified 垫.

Open 垫 →

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