搭配
dāpèi · HSK 6
pair
👯 搭 (build/pair up) + 配 (match) = pair things that match
搭 means to put together or pair up; 配 means to match or go with. Together 搭配 is the act of grouping or pairing items that fit — like matching clothes, food combos, or teammates.
搭 — hand radical 扌 + 荅 (phonetic)
A semantic-phonetic compound. The hand radical 扌 signals the meaning—an action done with the hands, originally 'to join, attach, or build up.' The right side 荅 supplies the sound 'dā.' From 'joining together' it extended to 'putting up' (a tent), 'riding' (joining a vehicle), and 'matching as a pair.'
配 — wine vessel 酉 + self 己
Originally depicted a person 己 beside a wine jar 酉, suggesting matching or distributing wine at ceremonies. From this came the meaning 'to pair, match, distribute,' and later 'to deserve' or 'to mix/compound.' The 酉 component gives the wine-related semantic root, while 己 contributes phonetically.