pèihé: 配合 - To Cooperate, Coordinate With, Act in Concert With

• Keywords: peihe, 配合, cooperate in Chinese, coordinate in Chinese, how to use peihe, Chinese word for teamwork, Chinese culture harmony, 配合 meaning, 合作 vs 配合, HSK 4 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn the meaning and use of '配合' (pèihé), a fundamental Chinese word for 'to cooperate' or 'to coordinate with'. This guide explores how 配合 is crucial for teamwork and social harmony in Chinese culture, going beyond simple cooperation to mean actively supporting and synchronizing with others. Discover practical examples, cultural insights, and common mistakes to master this essential HSK 4 term.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): pèihé
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To cooperate with, coordinate, or act in concert with someone or something.
• In a Nutshell: `配合` is more than just “working together.” It's about actively and willingly adjusting your own actions to support another person's plan, request, or leadership. Think of it as being a fantastic team player—anticipating needs, smoothing the process, and fitting your actions into the larger effort seamlessly. It carries a strong sense of support, harmony, and enabling the success of a collective goal.

• 配 (pèi): To match, to pair up, to fit. Imagine a key (配) perfectly fitting into a lock, or two pieces of a puzzle joining together.
• 合 (hé): To join, to combine, to close, to be in harmony. Picture a lid (合) fitting perfectly on a pot, or two hands coming together in agreement.
• When combined, 配合 (pèihé) literally means “to match and join.” This paints a vivid picture of two or more entities aligning their actions to work together in perfect harmony, like gears meshing smoothly in a machine.

`配合` is a cornerstone of social and professional interaction in China, deeply rooted in the cultural value of collectivism (集体主义, jítǐ zhǔyì) and the pursuit of harmony (和谐, héxié). In many Western cultures, “cooperation” often implies a negotiation between independent individuals who agree to work together, but may still strongly emphasize their individual roles and contributions. `配合`, on the other hand, places the emphasis on the group and the overall process. It's about subjugating one's own immediate preferences for the good of the team, the project, or the social situation. For example, an American employee might “cooperate” with a manager's plan by completing their assigned tasks. A Chinese employee showing good `配合` would not only complete their tasks but also actively anticipate the manager's needs, support colleagues without being asked, and do everything possible to ensure the manager's plan succeeds smoothly. Refusing to `配合` is seen not just as being uncooperative, but as being disruptive, selfish, and a threat to group harmony. It’s the cultural opposite of the “rugged individualist” ideal; instead, value is placed on being a supportive, reliable, and integrated part of the whole.

`配合` is an extremely common word used in various contexts, from the workplace to the doctor's office.

• In the Workplace: This is where you'll hear `配合` most often. A manager might ask departments to `配合` each other on a project. An employee will show their value by actively `配合`-ing their leader's work. It's a key attribute of a good “team player.”
• With Authorities: Police, government officials, or even security guards will often ask for the public's `配合` (cooperation) during an investigation, an event, or an inspection.
• In Daily Life: A doctor will ask a patient to `配合` with the treatment plan (follow instructions, take medicine on time). A photographer might ask a model to `配合` by striking certain poses. A parent might ask a tired child to `配合` for just a few more minutes while running errands.
• As a Noun: `配合` can also be a noun meaning “coordination” or “teamwork.” You can say two people have good `配合` (coordination).

Its connotation is almost always positive. To say someone is good at `配合` is a high compliment.

• Example 1:
  • 谢谢大家的配合。
  • Pinyin: Xièxie dàjiā de pèihé.
  • English: Thank you all for your cooperation.
  • Analysis: This is a very common and polite phrase used by leaders, event organizers, or officials after a group has successfully followed instructions. It's used as a noun here.
• Example 2:
  • 为了项目能按时完成，希望各部门能积极配合。
  • Pinyin: Wèile xiàngmù néng ànshí wánchéng, xīwàng gè bùmén néng jījí pèihé.
  • English: In order for the project to be completed on time, we hope all departments can actively cooperate/coordinate.
  • Analysis: A classic workplace example. The speaker (likely a manager) is asking different teams to support the main goal by coordinating their efforts. “Actively” (积极) is often paired with `配合`.
• Example 3:
  • 病人需要配合医生的治疗。
  • Pinyin: Bìngrén xūyào pèihé yīshēng de zhìliáo.
  • English: The patient needs to cooperate with the doctor's treatment.
  • Analysis: Here, `配合` implies following instructions and being an active, helpful participant in one's own recovery. The power dynamic is clear: the doctor leads, the patient supports.
• Example 4:
  • 这位歌手和乐队的配合简直天衣无缝。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi gēshǒu hé yuèduì de pèihé jiǎnzhí tiānyīwúfèng.
  • English: The coordination between this singer and the band is simply seamless.
  • Analysis: Here, `配合` is a noun meaning “coordination” or “synergy.” It describes how well different parts work together. 天衣无缝 (tiānyīwúfèng) is an idiom for “seamless.”
• Example 5:
  • 他这个人很难搞，一点儿也不配合。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhè ge rén hěn nán gǎo, yīdiǎnr yě bù pèihé.
  • English: This person is very difficult to deal with, he doesn't cooperate at all.
  • Analysis: This shows the negative consequence of *not* `配合`-ing. It paints the person as difficult, stubborn, and not a team player.
• Example 6:
  • 请您配合我们的安全检查。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng nín pèihé wǒmen de ānquán jiǎnchá.
  • English: Please cooperate with our security check.
  • Analysis: A formal and polite request from someone in a position of authority (e.g., airport security). Refusing to `配合` would have clear consequences.
• Example 7:
  • 在这次任务中，我会全力配合你的工作。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhè cì rènwù zhōng, wǒ huì quánlì pèihé nǐ de gōngzuò.
  • English: In this mission, I will fully support your work.
  • Analysis: This is a great way to show you are a supportive team member. It means “I will do what it takes to help you succeed.”
• Example 8:
  • 我们的前锋和中场配合得非常好。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de qiánfēng hé zhōngchǎng pèihé de fēicháng hǎo.
  • English: Our forward and midfielder coordinate very well.
  • Analysis: Used in sports to describe teamwork and on-field chemistry. `配合得好` is a common structure to describe good coordination.
• Example 9:
  • 孩子，你能不能配合一下，让妈妈先把东西放好？
  • Pinyin: Háizi, nǐ néng bu néng pèihé yīxià, ràng māma xiān bǎ dōngxi fàng hǎo?
  • English: Honey, can you just cooperate for a moment and let Mommy put the things down first?
  • Analysis: An informal, conversational use. It’s a gentle way of asking someone (often a child) to be helpful and not obstructive for a short period.
• Example 10:
  • 一个好的婚姻需要夫妻双方互相配合。
  • Pinyin: Yī ge hǎo de hūnyīn xūyào fūqī shuāngfāng hùxiāng pèihé.
  • English: A good marriage requires both husband and wife to mutually accommodate each other.
  • Analysis: In a relationship context, `配合` means to accommodate, support, and adjust for each other's needs and preferences to maintain harmony.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between `配合 (pèihé)` and `合作 (hézuò)`.

• `配合 (pèihé)` vs. `合作 (hézuò)`:
  • 合作 (hézuò) - To Collaborate: This implies a partnership of equals working toward a shared goal. Both parties have a relatively equal stake and input. Two companies forming a joint venture would `合作`.
  • `配合 (pèihé)` - To Coordinate/Support: This often implies a difference in roles, where one party is leading and the other is supporting. You `配合` your boss's plan, or you `配合` a police officer's instructions. The focus is on facilitating and supporting the other party's actions.
• Common Mistake: Using `合作` when you mean `配合`.
  • Incorrect: 我会合作你的工作。(Wǒ huì hézuò nǐ de gōngzuò.)
  • Correct: 我会配合你的工作。(Wǒ huì pèihé nǐ de gōngzuò.) - “I will support/coordinate with your work.”
  • Reason: `合作` is a verb that usually stands alone or describes a joint project (“我们合作” - We cooperate). `配合` is often used with an object, indicating who or what you are coordinating with.
• “False Friend” Nuance: While “cooperate” is the closest English word, it lacks the strong implication of “adjusting to fit” and “providing support” that is central to `配合`. Simply doing your own part isn't enough to be considered good at `配合`; you must actively make things easier for others in the group.

• 合作 (hézuò) - To cooperate or collaborate, typically among equals.
• 协调 (xiétiáo) - To coordinate. More formal and often used for logistics, schedules, or mediating between different groups.
• 支持 (zhīchí) - To support. `配合` is a specific *way* of showing `支持`.
• 默契 (mòqì) - Tacit understanding; chemistry. This is the ideal state that is achieved through excellent and long-term `配合`.
• 搭档 (dādàng) - A partner (in work, sports, performance). A good `搭档` must have good `配合`.
• 和谐 (héxié) - Harmony. The ultimate cultural goal that `配合` helps to achieve in social and group settings.
• 集体主义 (jítǐ zhǔyì) - Collectivism. The cultural philosophy that prioritizes the group over the individual, making `配合` a highly valued virtue.
• 帮忙 (bāngmáng) - To help; to do a favor. This is a more general term for helping, whereas `配合` is specifically about helping by coordinating actions within a process.