Definitions
(noun)
mate; pair
(classifier)
classifier for horses and cloth
(noun)
ordinary person
Etymology
Origin unclear. Possibly depicts a folded piece of cloth.
About
The character "匹" derives from an early pictograph symbolizing a bolt of cloth, with its structure incorporating a radical suggesting enclosure and another component representing the rolled material. Its initial meaning as a unit for measuring cloth gradually evolved through metonymy to serve as a classifier for horses, a usage stemming from ancient barter systems where textiles were traded for livestock. Concurrently, the notion of measurement and equivalence inherent in its original function gave rise to secondary meanings such as "to match" or "equal", reflecting conceptual parallels between paired items. While the character's form has seen minor stylistic adjustments over centuries, its essential composition has persisted, retaining visual cues to its etymological roots in material goods and measurement.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我家有一匹马。
这匹马跑得很快。
她买了两匹漂亮的布。
这两个颜色很匹配。
他们的技能非常匹配这个职位。
他的实力足以匹敌专业选手。
在市场上很难找到匹敌这款产品的竞争对手。
尽管资源有限，但他们团队的能力却匹敌那些大公司。