pèijiàn: 配件 - Accessories, Parts, Fittings

• Keywords: 配件, peijian, Chinese for parts, Chinese for accessories, computer parts in Chinese, phone accessories, car parts in Chinese, fittings, components, spare parts, peripherals.
• Summary: “配件” (pèijiàn) is an essential Chinese noun for any “accessory,” “part,” or “fitting” that goes with a larger item. Whether you're looking for phone accessories, computer parts for an upgrade, or a spare part for your car, “配件” is the versatile, go-to term. Understanding this word is crucial for navigating modern consumer life in China, from shopping in bustling electronics markets to getting a vehicle repaired.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): pèijiàn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A component or accessory designed to be fitted to or used with a larger piece of equipment.
• In a Nutshell: Think of “配件” as the “add-ons” or “replaceable bits” for a main product. It’s a very practical and tangible word. Your phone case, your computer's mouse, the spare tire for your car, or the attachments for your vacuum cleaner are all “配件”. It's about items that match and complete a primary object.

• 配 (pèi): This character means “to match,” “to pair,” or “to fit.” Its components hint at distributing or pairing things, like pairing wine (酉) with a meal. In this context, it signifies that the item is specifically designed to match another.
• 件 (jiàn): This character is a common measure word for items, articles, or matters. It denotes a single, distinct “item” or “piece.”
• The two characters combine to literally mean “matching item.” This perfectly captures the essence of a part or accessory that is made to fit with a larger whole, either as an add-on, an upgrade, or a replacement.

While not a deeply philosophical term like 关系 (guānxi), “配件” is culturally significant in the context of modern China's role as both a global manufacturing hub and a massive consumer market. The concept is central to the famous electronics markets like Huaqiangbei (华强北) in Shenzhen, which are worlds built almost entirely on “配件”. Here, you can find components for virtually any electronic device imaginable. This reflects a hands-on, modular approach to technology where repairing, upgrading, and customizing devices is commonplace. In Western culture, we often use more specific terms: “peripherals” for computers, “accessories” for phones, “parts” for cars, and “fittings” for plumbing. The Chinese term “配件” is a broader, more functional category. It groups items based on their relationship to a main body (i.e., they are a “matching item”) rather than the category of the main body itself. This highlights a practical, function-oriented way of seeing the world of goods. The distinction between original parts (原厂配件, yuánchǎng pèijiàn) and third-party or aftermarket parts (副厂配件, fùchǎng pèijiàn) is also a crucial aspect of commerce and daily conversation in China.

“配件” is a high-frequency word used in everyday conversation, shopping, and business. Its meaning is almost always neutral and functional.

• Electronics and Digital Life: This is the most common context. When you buy a new phone, the salesperson might ask if you need any “配件” like a screen protector (保护膜, bǎohùmó) or case (手机壳, shǒujīké). Computer enthusiasts will talk about buying “配件” to build or upgrade a PC, such as a graphics card (显卡, xiǎnkǎ) or RAM (内存条, nèicúntiáo).
• Automotive: When you take a car to be repaired, the mechanic will discuss which “汽车配件” (qìchē pèijiàn - auto parts) need to be replaced.
• Machinery and Appliances: From factory equipment to a kitchen blender, any replaceable or add-on part is a “配件”.
• Furniture: The term can also refer to furniture fittings, like handles, hinges, or legs.

• Example 1:
  • 我的手机需要一些新的配件，比如充电器和耳机。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de shǒujī xūyào yīxiē xīn de pèijiàn, bǐrú chōngdiànqì hé ěrjī.
  • English: My phone needs some new accessories, like a charger and headphones.
  • Analysis: A classic example of using 配件 in the context of consumer electronics. It functions as a general category for all the add-ons.
• Example 2:
  • 你可以在网上买到很便宜的电脑配件来自己组装电脑。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ zài wǎngshàng mǎidào hěn piányi de diànnǎo pèijiàn lái zìjǐ zǔzhuāng diànnǎo.
  • English: You can buy very cheap computer parts online to build your own PC.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the use of 配件 for components used in building something from scratch.
• Example 3:
  • 这辆车的配件很难找，因为型号太老了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè liàng chē de pèijiàn hěn nán zhǎo, yīnwèi xínghào tài lǎo le.
  • English: The parts for this car are hard to find because the model is too old.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 配件 for replacement parts in a repair context.
• Example 4:
  • 请问，这个相机包括哪些配件？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, zhège xiàngjī bāokuò nǎxiē pèijiàn?
  • English: Excuse me, what accessories are included with this camera?
  • Analysis: A very practical question for any shopper. 配件 here refers to the items that come in the box with the main product.
• Example 5:
  • 为了省钱，他用的是副厂配件，而不是原厂的。
  • Pinyin: Wèile shěngqián, tā yòng de shì fùchǎng pèijiàn, ér bùshì yuánchǎng de.
  • English: To save money, he used aftermarket parts, not the original (OEM) ones.
  • Analysis: This introduces the important commercial distinction between “副厂” (fùchǎng - aftermarket/third-party) and “原厂” (yuánchǎng - original manufacturer).
• Example 6:
  • 这家商店专门卖自行车配件和维修工具。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā shāngdiàn zhuānmén mài zìxíngchē pèijiàn hé wéixiū gōngjù.
  • English: This shop specializes in selling bicycle parts and repair tools.
  • Analysis: Shows the versatility of the word across different types of vehicles.
• Example 7:
  • 我们工厂需要订购一批新的机器配件。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngchǎng xūyào dìnggòu yī pī xīn de jīqì pèijiàn.
  • English: Our factory needs to order a batch of new machine parts.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates its use in a more industrial or B2B (business-to-business) context.
• Example 8:
  • 这个吸尘器附带了好几个有用的配件，可以清洁不同的表面。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xīchénqì fùdài le hǎo jǐ ge yǒuyòng de pèijiàn, kěyǐ qīngjié bùtóng de biǎomiàn.
  • English: This vacuum cleaner comes with several useful attachments for cleaning different surfaces.
  • Analysis: Here, 配件 is a perfect translation for the English “attachments” or “accessories” for an appliance.
• Example 9:
  • 宜家的很多家具都需要你自己安装小配件，比如螺丝和把手。
  • Pinyin: Yíjiā de hěnduō jiājù dōu xūyào nǐ zìjǐ ānzhuāng xiǎo pèijiàn, bǐrú luósī hé bǎshǒu.
  • English: A lot of IKEA furniture requires you to install the small fittings yourself, like screws and handles.
  • Analysis: This shows the word's application to furniture assembly, where 配件 refers to the hardware.
• Example 10:
  • 如果只是一个内部的小零件坏了，就不需要更换整个配件。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ zhǐshì yīgè nèibù de xiǎo língjiàn huài le, jiù bù xūyào gēnghuàn zhěnggè pèijiàn.
  • English: If it's just a small internal component that's broken, you don't need to replace the entire part.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts 配件 with 零件 (língjiàn), a key nuance explained in the next section.

The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing “配件” from similar-sounding words, especially “零件” (língjiàn).

• 配件 (pèijiàn) vs. 零件 (língjiàn):
  • 配件 (pèijiàn) refers to a complete, often self-contained accessory or functional unit that fits onto a larger product. It's usually something you can add, remove, or replace easily as one piece.
    • Analogy: A car's side-view mirror, a new set of speakers for your computer, or a camera lens are all 配件. They are complete units that attach to the main system.
  • 零件 (língjiàn) refers to a smaller, more fundamental component inside a machine or assembly. It's a “part” in the sense of a cog, a screw, a bearing, or a single chip on a circuit board.
    • Analogy: The gears inside the car's transmission are 零件. The motor inside the side-view mirror is a 零件. The mirror assembly itself is a 配件.
• Incorrect Usage Example:
  • Incorrect: 我的手表需要一个新的配件，就是里面那个小齿轮。 (Wǒ de shǒubiǎo xūyào yīgè xīn de pèijiàn, jiùshì lǐmiàn nàgè xiǎo chǐlún.)
  • Reasoning: A small gear (小齿轮) inside a watch is a fundamental component, not a self-contained accessory. The correct word is 零件 (língjiàn).
  • Correct: 我的手表需要一个新的零件，就是里面那个小齿轮。 (Wǒ de shǒubiǎo xūyào yīgè xīn de língjiàn…)
• 配件 (pèijiàn) vs. 附件 (fùjiàn):
  • While both can mean “attachment,” 配件 almost always refers to physical hardware. 附件 (fùjiàn) is most commonly used for digital files attached to an email (电子邮件附件) or supplementary documents attached to a report.

• 零件 (língjiàn) - A smaller, internal component or “spare part.” Contrasts with the more complete, external nature of `配件`.
• 设备 (shèbèi) - Equipment, device. This is often the main “body” to which `配件` are attached.
• 安装 (ānzhuāng) - To install. The action you perform with a new `配件`.
• 更换 (gēnghuàn) - To replace, to change. What you do when an old `配件` breaks.
• 原厂 (yuánchǎng) - Original manufacturer (OEM). Used to describe official parts, as in `原厂配件`.
• 附件 (fùjiàn) - Attachment, annex. A close synonym but primarily used for documents and digital files, not hardware.
• 组件 (zǔjiàn) - Component, module. A more technical term, often for a pre-assembled unit that is part of a larger system. A `组件` can be considered a type of `配件`.
• 饰品 (shìpǐn) - Ornaments, accessories (for personal fashion). This term is used for things that are primarily decorative (jewelry, hair clips), whereas `配件` are primarily functional.
• 部分 (bùfen) - Part, section. A general term for a piece of a whole, which may not be a distinct, functional, or replaceable item.