配

pèi

HSK 3.0 5

Rank #738

Definitions

pèi (verb) to match; to pair

pèi (verb) to deserve; to be worthy of

pèi (verb) to allocate; to distribute

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 酉 represents the meaning and a remnant of 妃 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "mix wine". The meaning later shifted to "match".

Semantic: 酉 Phonetic: 己

About

The character 配, which has remained consistent in form and was not subject to simplification, derives from a pictographic origin involving a wine vessel, as indicated by its radical 酉. Its earliest uses were concretely tied to the ritual blending or allocation of wine, a significant social and ceremonial act. Over time, this specific notion of apportioning a liquid evolved into a more abstract and general sense of matching, joining, or allocating things appropriately, leading to its common modern meanings of "to match", "to deserve", or "to blend". The component 己, whose original role is debated but may have represented a kneeling figure or served a phonetic purpose, contributes to the character's structure without altering this core semantic progression from a ritual action to a broad principle of combination and distribution.