配套
pèi tào · HSK 5
to form a complete set
🧩 配 = pair/match + 套 = set/cover; together = a matching set
配 means to pair or match; 套 means a set or cover/sheath. Combined, 配套 describes things that go together as a coherent set — like matching components designed to work as one unit.
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.
套 — big 大 + long 镸 (long hair)
套 combines 大 (big) over 镸 (long), suggesting something large and elongated that wraps or covers. The original sense was a covering or sheath that fits over something else, later extending to 'set,' 'cover,' or 'to slip over.' Modern uses like 一套 (a set) and 手套 (gloves) preserve this idea of an enclosing wrapper.