About
The word **摆设 (bǎishè)** is a **verb-object compound** formed by combining two synonymous verbs: **摆 (bǎi)**, meaning "to arrange" or "to display," and **设 (shè)**, meaning "to set up" or "to lay out." Together, they create a single lexical unit that originally functions as a verb meaning "to furnish and decorate (a space with objects)." By extension, through **conversion**, it also commonly acts as a noun referring to the decorative items or furnishings themselves, often carrying a connotation of being for show rather than practical use. This formation exemplifies how Chinese frequently combines meaningful characters to create nuanced words with related but distinct grammatical functions.