to conform to; to accord with
HSK level
符合 is written with 17 strokes (符: 11, 合: 6). The animation replays automatically.
符合 (fúhé) is a verb meaning 'to conform to, match, or accord with' a standard, requirement, expectation, or fact.
It takes a direct object without a preposition: 符合要求 (meet the requirements), 符合条件 (fit the criteria), 符合规定 (comply with the rules), 符合事实 (be consistent with the facts). It is neutral, leaning slightly formal, and appears constantly in official, academic, and business contexts. The key point for English speakers is that 符合 is transitive — you say 符合标准, not '符合于标准' — and it describes an abstract fit between something and a benchmark, not physical matching of objects.
For 'match' in the sense of two things being alike or a good pair, use 配 or 相配 instead. The characters read 'tally + join,' evoking two halves of an ancient split tally token fitting together perfectly.
Character by character
Memory hook: 符 (tally) + 合 (fit together) = the two halves of a tally fitting → to accord with, to match.
你的条件完全符合要求。
Nǐ de tiáojiàn wánquán fúhé yāoqiú.
Your qualifications fully meet the requirements.
neutral
这个产品符合国家标准。
Zhège chǎnpǐn fúhé guójiā biāozhǔn.
This product meets the national standard.
written
他说的和事实不太符合。
Tā shuō de hé shìshí bú tài fúhé.
What he said doesn't quite match the facts.
neutral
只有符合条件的人才能报名。
Zhǐyǒu fúhé tiáojiàn de rén cái néng bàomíng.
Only those who meet the criteria can sign up.
neutral
适合 means 'to be suitable for / suit' someone or a purpose (这工作适合你). 符合 means 'to meet / conform to' a fixed standard or requirement. A person can 适合 a job, but a document 符合 the rules.
相符 means 'to tally / be consistent (with each other),' emphasizing mutual agreement between two things, and is more formal. 符合 is the everyday transitive verb: X 符合 Y.
附近 (nearby) starts with a similar sound but means 'in the vicinity,' about location. 符合 is about conforming to a standard. Different characters and meanings.
配合 means 'to cooperate / coordinate with' someone in an action. 符合 means 'to conform to' a standard. 配合 is teamwork; 符合 is meeting a benchmark.
Acquire it by listening
Fluentide turns real news into Chinese listening at your exact level, so words like 符合 show up again and again in natural sentences — with pinyin and translation every time. No flashcards. Free to start.
