复合

• Pinyin: fù hé
• Hanzi breakdown: 复 = 彳 + 日 + 夂 (multiple, repeat); 合 = 亼 + 口 (combine, join together)

Meaning

Compound; composite; to combine or reunite. Refers to something made of multiple components, or the act of recombining elements that were once separated.

Used in chemistry (复合材料 composite material, 复合肥 compound fertiliser), linguistics (复合词 compound word), and relationships (旧情复合 reconcile a past relationship). As a verb, 复合 means to reunite or get back together (especially in romantic contexts in colloquial usage).

Examples

1. 这种新型复合材料兼具金属的强度与塑料的轻盈，广泛应用于航空领域。 This new composite material combines the strength of metal with the lightness of plastic and is widely used in aviation.
2. 化学实验室配制了一种由多种成分构成的复合溶液，用于材料的表面处理。 The chemistry lab prepared a composite solution made up of multiple components for use in surface treatment of materials.
3. 农业专家建议农民交替使用单一肥料与复合肥，以保持土壤的养分平衡。 Agricultural experts advise farmers to alternate between single-nutrient fertilizer and compound fertilizer to maintain soil nutrient balance.

Usage Guide

Context: science, chemistry, materials, linguistics

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 航天飞行器的外壳通常采用高强度复合材料制造，以承受极端的温度变化。(Spacecraft shells are typically manufactured from high-strength composite materials to withstand extreme temperature variations.)
• 复合句由两个或两个以上的分句组合而成，表达较为复杂的意思。(A compound sentence is formed from two or more clauses combined together to express more complex meanings.)

Don't Say

• 复合了一顿饭 — 复合 does not mean to combine physical meals; use 合并 for merging items or 凑在一起 for gathering informally

Origin & History

复 (again/multiple) + 合 (combine/join)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal