配合

• Pinyin: pèi hé
• Hanzi breakdown: 配 = 酉 (wine jar) + 己 (self), to match; 合 = 亼 (lid) + 口 (mouth/container), to join together

Meaning

To cooperate; to coordinate; to work together. Acting in harmony with others to achieve a common goal.

Emphasises working together smoothly, often with one party supporting or accommodating another. Common in work, sports, and official contexts: 配合调查 (cooperate with an investigation), 配合默契 (coordinate with great chemistry). Slightly more formal than 合作 (cooperate), with a nuance of accommodation or support.

Examples

1. 请大家配合一下，我们需要拍一张集体照。 Please cooperate, everyone — we need to take a group photo.
2. 两个人配合得很好，比赛赢了。 The two of them coordinated very well and won the match.
3. 希望各位配合我们的工作。 We hope everyone will cooperate with our work.

Usage Guide

Context: work, teamwork, official requests

Tone: cooperative

Do Say

• 谢谢大家的配合。(Thank you all for your cooperation.)
• 他们配合得天衣无缝。(They coordinated seamlessly.)

Don't Say

• 我和饭配合得很好。(Don't use 配合 for your relationship with food — it requires human agents working together. Say 我很喜欢这道菜.)

Origin & History

配 means to match or pair (blending wine); 合 means to join or unite (亼 a lid + 口 a container). Together: to match and join — to coordinate.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal