搭配

• Pinyin: dā pèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 搭 = 扌(hand) + 塔 (phonetic); 配 = 酉 (wine vessel) + 己 (self)

Meaning

To match; to pair; to coordinate. Combining things harmoniously.

Widely used in fashion (服装搭配), food (食物搭配), and language (词语搭配). Emphasizes creating harmonious combinations where elements complement each other. Also used in linguistics for collocations.

Examples

1. 她特别会搭配衣服，每天穿得都很有品味。 She's really good at coordinating outfits — she dresses tastefully every day.
2. 这道菜的食材搭配很讲究，营养又美味。 The ingredient pairing in this dish is carefully considered — nutritious and delicious.
3. 学外语要注意词语搭配，不能随便乱用。 When learning a foreign language, pay attention to word collocations — you can't just use words randomly.

Usage Guide

Context: fashion, food, language

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这条裙子搭配什么鞋子好看？(What shoes would look good paired with this skirt?)
• 红酒和牛排是经典搭配。(Red wine and steak are a classic pairing.)

Don't Say

• 搭配强调和谐协调，不能说两个不相关的东西搭配 (搭配 emphasizes harmonious coordination — don't say two unrelated things are 搭配)

Origin & History

From 搭 (to connect) and 配 (to match/pair), describing the act of putting things together in a compatible way.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal