dual use; serve two purposes
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to serve two purposes; to use one item for two different functions
dialectOriginally a dialect expression (〈方〉), now widely understood in standard Mandarin. Often used to describe practical, resource-saving solutions where a single object fulfills multiple roles.
Zhè这
jiàn件
wài外
tào套
kě可
yǐ以
yī一
dā搭
liǎng两
yòng用
，
r白
bái天
tiān当
dāng风
fēng衣
，
yī晚
wǎn上
shang当
dāng被
bèi子
。
This coat serves two purposes—used as a windbreaker during the day and a blanket at night.
Wǒ我
men们
lǚ旅
xíng行
shí时
yào要
jìn尽
liàng量
dài带
yī一
dā搭
liǎng两
yòng用
r的
de物
wù品
，
pǐn节
jié省
shěng行
xíng李
li空
kōng间
。
When traveling, we should try to bring dual-use items to save luggage space.
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Zhè这
ge个
shā沙
fā发
chuáng床
shè设
jì计
de得
hěn很
hǎo好
，
zhēn真
zhèng正
zuò做
dào到
le了
yī一
dā搭
liǎng两
yòng用
。
This sofa bed is well-designed, truly achieving dual functionality.
Dài带
jiàn件
dà大
yī衣
，
bái白
tiān天
chuān穿
，
wǎn晚
shang上
dāng当
bèi被
gài盖
，
yī一
dā搭
liǎng两
yòng用
。
Bring a heavy coat—wear it during the day and use it as a blanket at night, serving two purposes.