fēnpèi: 分配 - to Distribute, to Allocate, to Assign
Quick Summary
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Summary: Discover the meaning and use of the essential Chinese verb 分配 (fēnpèi), which translates to “to distribute,” “to allocate,” or “to assign.” This comprehensive guide explores how 分配 is used in various contexts, from a manager assigning tasks (分配任务) and a government allocating funds (分配资金), to its deep cultural significance rooted in China's planned economy era. Learn the difference between 分配 (fēnpèi) and similar words like 分享 (fēnxiǎng), and master its usage with practical examples for everyday and business communication.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): fēnpèi
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To distribute, allocate, or assign something according to a plan or standard.
In a Nutshell: Think of 分配 (fēnpèi) as the act of taking a whole and systematically dividing it up into portions for different people, purposes, or places. It implies a sense of authority, organization, and planning. It's not a random splitting, but a deliberate allocation, whether it's a boss assigning projects, a government distributing relief aid, or even a computer allocating memory.
Character Breakdown
分 (fēn): This character means “to divide,” “to separate,” or a “part/portion.” The top part (八) can be seen as something being split apart by the knife (刀) below it. It's the core concept of division.
配 (pèi): This character means “to match,” “to pair,” or “to allot.” It carries the sense of finding the right fit or pairing things together appropriately.
Together, 分配 (fēnpèi) literally means “to divide and match.” This combination perfectly captures the modern meaning: not just dividing something, but dividing and distributing it in a planned, matched, and purposeful way.
Cultural Context and Significance
The Legacy of the Planned Economy: The term 分配 is deeply tied to China's history of the “planned economy” (计划经济, jìhuà jīngjì) from the 1950s to the 1980s. During this time, the state controlled and allocated almost everything. You didn't find a job; the state would 分配工作 (fēnpèi gōngzuò)—assign you a job. You didn't buy a house; the work unit would 分配住房 (fēnpèi zhùfáng)—allocate you housing. This historical context gives the word a strong connotation of top-down, centralized authority that it sometimes lacks in English.
Comparison to Western Concepts: In a Western, individualistic context, concepts like “job hunting” and “the free market” are dominant. The idea of being “assigned” a job by the state is quite foreign. While an American manager might “assign” tasks, the cultural weight of the state “assigning” your entire career path is unique to the Chinese experience with 分配. Today, while China has a market economy, this concept of centralized allocation still surfaces in discussions about public resources, university placements, and social equity, such as the fair 分配 (fēnpèi) of wealth.
Practical Usage in Modern China
In the Workplace (Formal/Neutral): This is one of the most common uses. Managers and leaders 分配 tasks and resources.
分配任务 (fēnpèi rènwù): to assign tasks
分配工作 (fēnpèi gōngzuò): to assign work/jobs
分配资源 (fēnpèi zīyuán): to allocate resources
In Economics and Government (Formal): Used to discuss the distribution of wealth, funds, and social goods.
收入分配 (shōurù fēnpèi): income distribution
分配预算 (fēnpèi yùsuàn): to allocate a budget
财富分配 (cáifù fēnpèi): wealth distribution
In Daily Life (Neutral/Informal): Can be used among family and friends, though it sounds a bit more formal than just “splitting” something.
分配家务 (fēnpèi jiāwù): to assign/divide up chores
老师给我们分配了小组。(Lǎoshī gěi wǒmen fēnpèi le xiǎozǔ.): The teacher assigned us to small groups.
In Technology (Neutral): Used in computing and IT.
分配内存 (fēnpèi nèicún): to allocate memory
分配IP地址 (fēnpèi IP dìzhǐ): to assign an IP address
Example Sentences
Example 1:
老板给我们分配了新的任务。
Pinyin: Lǎobǎn gěi wǒmen fēnpèi le xīn de rènwù.
English: The boss assigned us new tasks.
Analysis: A classic and extremely common example of using 分配 in a professional context. It implies a formal, top-down assignment of duties.
Example 2:
政府需要合理地分配教育资源。
Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ xūyào hélǐ de fēnpèi jiàoyù zīyuán.
English: The government needs to allocate educational resources rationally.
Analysis: This sentence uses 分配 in a formal, societal context. It refers to the systematic distribution of public goods.
Example 3:
我们应该如何分配这个项目的预算？
Pinyin: Wǒmen yīnggāi rúhé fēnpèi zhège xiàngmù de yùsuàn?
English: How should we allocate the budget for this project?
Analysis: A practical business question. 分配 here means to decide how much money goes to each part of the project.
Example 4:
妈妈让哥哥分配家务活儿。
Pinyin: Māma ràng gēge fēnpèi jiāwù huór.
English: Mom let my older brother assign the chores.
Analysis: This shows a more informal, everyday usage. The older brother is given the “authority” to distribute the work among the siblings.
Example 5:
老师把糖果公平地分配给了每个孩子。
Pinyin: Lǎoshī bǎ tángguǒ gōngpíng de fēnpèi gěi le měi ge háizi.
English: The teacher distributed the candy fairly to every child.
Analysis: Here, 分配 emphasizes the fairness and systematic nature of the distribution, even in a simple situation.
English: Please distribute these disaster relief supplies to the people who need them most.
Analysis: This highlights the sense of purpose and direction in 分配. The supplies are not just handed out, but allocated *to* a specific group.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
分配 (fēnpèi) vs. 分享 (fēnxiǎng): This is a critical distinction.
分配 (fēnpèi) is to allocate or distribute, often from a position of authority and according to a plan. It's systematic. (e.g., A boss allocates funds.)
分享 (fēnxiǎng) is “to share,” which is voluntary, personal, and often about something non-material like joy, an experience, or a story. It can also be used for food among friends. (e.g., I share my cake with you.)
Mistake: Don't say “我跟你分配我的快乐” (I allocate my happiness to you). You should say “我跟你分享我的快乐” (I share my happiness with you).
分配 (fēnpèi) vs. 发 (fā):
分配 (fēnpèi) implies a planned distribution to a specific group or for specific purposes.
发 (fā) means “to give out” or “to issue,” often in a more general, one-to-many action.
Mistake: To say “He's handing out flyers on the street,” you should use `他在街上发传单 (tā zài jiē shàng fā chuándān)`, not `分配传单`. 分配 would imply he has a specific list of people to give the flyers to.
分配 (fēnpèi) vs. 分 (fēn):
分 (fēn) just means “to divide” or “split.” It's a simple action. (e.g., 我们分一个比萨饼吧 - Let's split a pizza.)
分配 (fēnpèi) is the more formal process of allocating the divided parts. (e.g., 经理把任务分配给了三个人 - The manager allocated the task to three people.) Using 分 here would sound too simplistic and incomplete.
Related Terms and Concepts
分发 (fēnfā) - To distribute, hand out. Very similar, but often emphasizes the physical act of distributing items to a large number of people (e.g., distributing leaflets, mail).
安排 (ānpái) - To arrange, to plan. A much broader term. You `安排` a schedule or a meeting, and as part of that plan, you might `分配` specific tasks.
布置 (bùzhì) - To assign (especially homework), to decorate. Commonly used by teachers for assigning work: `布置作业 (bùzhì zuòyè)`. It's a more specific synonym for “assign” in an academic context.
划分 (huàfēn) - To divide, to partition. Focuses on creating boundaries or categories. You `划分` an area into districts, or `划分` a problem into smaller parts.
平均 (píngjūn) - Average, equally. Describes a specific method of `分配`. You can `平均分配` (píngjūn fēnpèi) something, meaning to “distribute it equally.”
任务 (rènwù) - Task, mission. Often the object of the verb `分配`.
资源 (zīyuán) - Resources. Another common object of `分配`, referring to money, materials, or personnel.
计划经济 (jìhuà jīngjì) - Planned economy. The key historical and cultural context for understanding the deep meaning of `分配` in modern China.