ānpái: 安排 - Arrange, Plan, Schedule

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Summary: Discover the meaning of 安排 (ānpái), a fundamental Chinese word that means “to arrange,” “to plan,” or “to schedule.” This guide goes beyond a simple translation, exploring how 安排 is used in business, social life, and family contexts. Learn the cultural nuances behind planning in China, how it differs from the English “arrange,” and master its usage with practical examples to make your Chinese sound more natural and fluent.

Pinyin (with tone marks): ānpái

Part of Speech: Verb, Noun

HSK Level: HSK 3

Concise Definition: To arrange, plan, or schedule something; a plan or arrangement.

In a Nutshell: 安排 (ānpái) is the go-to word for organizing things, people, or time. It's about putting everything in its proper place and order, from scheduling a meeting to planning a trip or assigning tasks. Think of it as the action of creating a concrete plan or the resulting plan itself. It implies a sense of order, control, and thoughtful preparation.

安 (ān): This character means “peaceful,” “safe,” or “secure.” It originally depicted a woman (女) under a roof (宀), symbolizing safety and tranquility at home. In 安排, it contributes the sense of “placing” or “settling” something in a secure and proper way.

排 (pái): This character means “to line up” or “to arrange in a row.” The hand radical (扌) on the left indicates an action done with the hands. The right part, 非 (fēi), provides the sound. So, 排 is the physical action of putting things in a specific order.

Together, 安排 (ānpái) literally means “to peacefully place in a row.” This beautifully captures the essence of the word: to create order and a clear plan out of chaos, resulting in a sense of security and clarity.

The “Top-Down” Arrangement: In Western cultures, “planning” is often a collaborative or personal process. In China, 安排 (ānpái) can carry a significant top-down, hierarchical weight. When a boss, a parent, or an official 安排s something for you, it is often not a suggestion but a directive. The expectation is compliance. The common phrase 服从安排 (fúcóng ānpái), meaning “to obey the arrangements,” perfectly illustrates this. It reflects a cultural value of respecting hierarchy and the collective good over individual preference.

Contrast with Western “Arranging”: While you can “arrange” flowers in English, you would use a different word like 插花 (chāhuā) in Chinese. While you can “arrange” your room, you'd use 整理 (zhěnglǐ). 安排 (ānpái) is almost exclusively used for abstract concepts like time, tasks, events, and logistics. This highlights its focus on planning and scheduling rather than physical organization. This top-down cultural element is a crucial distinction for learners to grasp; accepting an 安排 is often a sign of respect and cooperation.

In the Workplace (Verb/Noun): This is one of the most common words in a Chinese office. Bosses 安排 tasks (安排任务), assistants 安排 meetings (安排会议), and colleagues discuss the day's 安排 (今天的安排).

Social and Personal Life (Verb): It's used for any kind of social planning. You can 安排 a time to meet a friend (安排一个时间见面), 安排 a trip (安排旅行), or 安排 who will cook dinner (安排晚饭). Here, the tone is much more collaborative and less authoritative.

Connotation: The feeling of 安排 is generally neutral and practical. However, the context is key. If your manager says, “我给你安排一下” (Wǒ gěi nǐ ānpái yīxià - “Let me arrange it for you”), it's a polite but firm instruction. If a friend says it, it's a helpful offer.

Ignoring the Authoritative Connotation: When your boss says, “这个任务就这么安排了” (This task has been arranged this way), arguing or suggesting major changes can be seen as disrespectful. The culturally appropriate response is usually to accept the 安排 first and then, if necessary, politely discuss any difficulties in implementation.

计划 (jìhuà) - Plan, project. A broader concept than 安排; the overall goal or strategy.

布置 (bùzhì) - To assign, to decorate. Often used by teachers to 布置 homework (布置作业) or for specific, delegated tasks. It's more specific than 安排.

准备 (zhǔnbèi) - To prepare, to get ready. The action you take to get ready for an 安排. You 准备 for a meeting that your boss has 安排d.

打算 (dǎsuàn) - To plan, to intend. More personal and informal than 计划. It's about what you're thinking of doing.

日程 (rìchéng) - Schedule, itinerary. This is often the noun form of the result of an 安排. Your 日程 is your list of 安排s.

预约 (yùyuē) - To make an appointment/reservation. A very specific type of 安排, used for doctors, restaurants, etc.

服从 (fúcóng) - To obey. Often paired with 安排 in hierarchical settings to mean “obey the arrangements.”

整理 (zhěnglǐ) - To tidy up, to organize (physical objects). Use this for your desk or room, not for your schedule.