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设备 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
设备shèbèiequipmentHSK 5, vn, rank #2228, Medium
设备shèbèifacilitiesHSK 5, vn, rank #2228, Medium
设备shèbèiinstallationsHSK 5, vn, rank #2228, Medium
设备shèbèi>个[gè]HSK 5, vn, rank #2228, Medium
shèbèi(she4bei4) T4
  1. 1equipment
  2. 2facilities
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March 24, 2026
设备(設備)shèbèi(she4bei4)

设备 (shè bèi) refers to equipment or facilities used for a specific purpose. It is commonly used in contexts related to technology, machinery, and infrastructure, often emphasizing the functionality and installation aspects of tools or systems.

Frequency#2228DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In modern China, the term 设备 is frequently used in discussions about urban development and industrialization, reflecting the country's rapid advances in technology and infrastructure. For instance, you might hear it in conversations about new public transportation systems.

Memory Tip

Think of 设 (shè) as 'setting up' and 备 (bèi) as 'preparing'—together they suggest 'setting up equipment.' Visualize a technician preparing a complex machine, which helps you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 设备

shèbèi(she4bei4)
1equipment
2facilities
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 设备

设备Simplified
設備Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#2228Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 设备

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Podcast: 设备

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AI Study Notes for 设备

Quick Contrast

器材 (qìcái) - choose 设备 when referring specifically to installed or functional equipment, while 器材 emphasizes the materials or apparatus used in a broader sense.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 设 (shè) as 'setting up' and 备 (bèi) as 'preparing'—together they suggest 'setting up equipment.' Visualize a technician preparing a complex machine, which helps you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 设备 with similar words like 器材 (qìcái), which refers more to materials or instruments. While 设备 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is more common in technical and professional discussions. Remember that the fourth tone in both syllables can be easily mispronounced.

HSK Study Tips

As a HSK Level 5 word, 设备 connects with other terms related to technology and engineering, such as 技术 (jìshù - technology) and 工具 (gōngjù - tools). Focus on understanding its usage in technical contexts and practice using it in sentences to reinforce its meaning.

Cultural Note

In modern China, the term 设备 is frequently used in discussions about urban development and industrialization, reflecting the country's rapid advances in technology and infrastructure. For instance, you might hear it in conversations about new public transportation systems.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 设备 with similar terms or forget its usage context. For example, saying '我买了设备' (I bought equipment) can be vague; specifying the type of equipment, like '我买了电脑设备' (I bought computer equipment), is clearer.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 设备

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Component Characters

设shèto set up
HSK 76 strokes讠
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备bèito prepare
HSK 78 strokes夂
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Write 设备

设
备

Practice writing 设备 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 设备

设备 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

因为正在使用很多昂贵的____，所以我非常紧张。

I get very nervous because I'm using a lot of expensive equipment.

Example Sentences for 设备 (10)

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1
因为正在使用很多昂贵的设备，所以我非常紧张。

yīn wéi zhèng zài shǐ yòng hěn duō áng guì de shè bèi， ， suǒ yǐ wǒ fēi cháng jǐn。

I get very nervous because I'm using a lot of expensive equipment.
2
射击场被一排排深红色的灯光设备从下面照亮了.

shè jī cháng bèi yī pái pái shēn hóng sè de dēng guāng shè bèi cóng xià miàn zhào liàng le.

The shooting-range is lit from underneath by rows of ruby-red light fittings.
3
取出设备后，我带着李在花草蔓生的花园里转了一圈。

qǔ chū shè bèi hòu， ， wǒ dài zháo lǐ zài huā cǎo màn shēng de huā yuán lǐ zhuǎn le yī。

As the equipment was unpacked, I led Lee around the overgrown garden.
4
他们的医疗体系有很多不足：要排队等候，资源短缺，设备陈旧。

tā mén de yī liáo tǐ xì yǒu hěn duō bù zú： ： yào pái duì děng， hòu ， zī yuán， duǎn quē ， shè。

Their health-care system suffers from queues, shortages and ropey equipment.
5
内置有断路器，防止设备过载。

nèi zhì yǒu duàn lù qì， ， fáng zhǐ shè bèi guò。

There is an internal circuit breaker to protect the instrument from overload.
6
该设备几个月之前曾投入运行。

gāi shè bèi jī gè yuè zhī qián zēng tóu rù yùn háng。

The device had been used operationally some months previously.
7
较好的驾驶设备能够提升在湿滑路面上的抓地力。

jiào hǎo de jià shǐ shè bèi néng gòu tí shēng zài shī huá lù miàn shàng de zhuā dì lì。

Better driv-ing equipment will improve track adhesion in slippery conditions.
8
设备已经按照令状分配好了。

shè bèi yǐ jīng àn zhào líng zhuàng fēn pèi hǎo le。

Equipment is allocated by warrant.
9
您也可以乘坐配有视频设备的现代化长途汽车游览那处遗址。

nín yě kě yǐ chéng zuò pèi yǒu shì pín shè bèi de xiàn dài huà cháng tú qì chē yóu lǎn nà chǔ yí zhǐ。

You can also tour the site on modern coaches equipped with videos.
10
尽管他们的方法和设备较为粗陋，那次实验却相当成功。

jìn guǎn tā mén de fāng fǎ hé shè bèi jiào wéi cū lòu， ， nà cì shí yàn què xiāng dāng chéng。

Despite the crudity of their methods and equipment, the experiment was a considerable success.

Cultural Notes for 设备

🏮Cultural insight

In modern China, the term 设备 is frequently used in discussions about urban development and industrialization, reflecting the country's rapid advances in technology and infrastructure. For instance, you might hear it in conversations about new public transportation systems.

Frequently Asked Questions about 设备

设备 refers to equipment or installations, often with a focus on functionality, while 器材 usually means materials or instruments used in specific activities.