Meaning of 设备
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- equipment; facilities; installations
How to use 设备
设备 is a fairly formal noun for machines, devices, and equipment, often in offices, factories, hospitals, or labs. It works as a collective noun and is often paired with words like 新 (xīn) or 先进 (xiānjìn). Example: 这家医院的设备很新。(Zhè jiā yīyuàn de shèbèi hěn xīn.) This hospital's equipment is very new.
设 (shè) means to set up, and 备 (bèi) means to prepare, as in 准备 (zhǔnbèi). Equipment is the stuff you set up and prepare in advance so work can happen.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 设备 (shèbèi) and 设施 (shèshī). 设备 is machines and devices, while 设施 is larger facilities like parks, roads, or sports grounds. Also remember both syllables are fourth tone, so do not let 备 drift to bēi.
设备 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
设 shè · to set up · 6 strokes
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- 2
- 3
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备 bèi · to prepare · 8 strokes
- 1
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Related words
Words that share a character with 设备.
| 准备 | zhǔnbèi | preparation; to prepare |
| 设计 | shèjì | to design; to plan; design; plan |
| 建设 | jiànshè | to build; to construct; to establish; to develop; to institute |
| 设立 | shèlì | to set up; to establish |
| 设置 | shèzhì | to set up; to install |
| 设施 | shèshī | facilities; installation |
| 具备 | jùbèi | to possess; to have |
| 预备 | yùbèi | to prepare; to make ready |
| 设想 | shèxiǎng | to imagine; to assume |
| 配备 | pèibèi | to allocate; to provide |
| 装备 | zhuāngbèi | equipment; to equip |
| 设计师 | shèjìshī | designer; architect |
Questions about 设备
What does 设备 mean?
设备 (shèbèi) means "equipment; facilities; installations" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 设备?
设备 is made of 2 characters: 设 (6 strokes), 备 (8 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 设备 an HSK word?
Yes. 设备 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 设备 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 设备 is written 設備.
Can I use 设备 for my phone or laptop?
Yes. In tech contexts 设备 means a device, as in 移动设备 (yídòng shèbèi), mobile device. In casual talk people usually just name the item, such as 手机 (shǒujī).
What measure word goes with 设备?
Common choices are 台 (tái) for a single machine, as in 一台设备, and 套 (tào) for a full set, as in 一套设备. 些 (xiē) works for an unspecified amount.