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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.
Strokes14Frequency#2228DifficultyHard
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
14Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#2228Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 设备
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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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 3 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 (14)
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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.
To improve production efficiency, the company decided to upgrade the existing machinery equipment.
14
在这次展会上，我们展示了最新款的智能家居设备。
Zài zhè cì zhǎnhuì shàng, wǒmen zhǎnshì le zuìxīn kuǎn de zhìnéng jiājū shèbèi.
At this exhibition, we showcased the latest model of smart home equipment.
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.
Yes, but it is more common in formal or technical contexts. In casual speech, people might use simpler terms.
An example sentence is '这台设备需要维护' (This equipment needs maintenance).
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