verb HSK 5
Traditional 隸屬
shǔ
to be subordinate to · to be affiliated with · to belong to

Meaning

隶属 describes a formal hierarchical or organizational relationship where one entity belongs under the authority or jurisdiction of another. It's commonly used in administrative, corporate, and institutional contexts to indicate which department, organization, or authority something falls under.

Usage

This is formal register vocabulary typically found in official documents, news reports, and organizational descriptions. It emphasizes the structural relationship between entities rather than simple ownership. Common in phrases like '隶属于...' (to be subordinate to...).

Examples

  1. 01
    这所大学隶属于教育部。
    Zhè suǒ dàxué shǔ jiàoyù .
    This university is subordinate to the Ministry of Education.
  2. 02
    该公司隶属于一个大型企业集团。
    Gāi gōngsī shǔ dàxíng qǐyè jítuán.
    The company is affiliated with a large corporate group.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 隶属
    shǔ
    to be subordinate to
  • 隶属关系
    shǔ guān
    subordinate relationship

Antonyms

Origin

隶 originally referred to slaves or servants in ancient China, while 属 means to belong or be classified under. Together they form a compound expressing a subordinate organizational relationship.

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