In 15 Seconds
- Used for providing resources like food, water, or electricity.
- Functions as both a formal verb and a common noun.
- Implies a steady, organized flow rather than a one-time gift.
Meaning
This word is all about providing what's needed, whether it's water to a city, electricity to a house, or snacks to a party. It’s the act of making sure a resource is available and ready for use.
Key Examples
3 of 6Checking hotel amenities
这家酒店供应免费早餐吗？
Does this hotel supply free breakfast?
Discussing a city's water issue
这个城市的水供应很充足。
This city's water supply is very sufficient.
A shop running out of a popular item
对不起，奶茶已经停止供应了。
Sorry, the milk tea is no longer being supplied (available).
Cultural Background
Historically, the term was heavily associated with the 'Supply and Marketing Cooperatives' of the mid-20th century. Today, it reflects China's status as the 'world's factory,' where supply chain management is a national pride and a daily topic of conversation.
The 'Business' Vibe
If you want to sound like a pro when ordering at a fancy restaurant, ask '你们供应...吗?' instead of just '你们有...吗?' (Do you have...?). It sounds much more sophisticated.
Don't 'Supply' People
In English, we sometimes say we 'provide for' our family. In Chinese, don't use `供应` for this. Use `养` (yǎng - to raise/support) instead. `供应` is for things, not people's livelihoods.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for providing resources like food, water, or electricity.
- Functions as both a formal verb and a common noun.
- Implies a steady, organized flow rather than a one-time gift.
What It Means
供应 (gōngyìng) is your go-to word for the flow of resources. Think of it as the bridge between having something and someone needing it. It covers everything from basic survival needs like food and water to modern essentials like internet or power. It feels a bit more organized than just 'giving.'
How To Use It
You use it as both a verb and a noun. If you are the one providing, you 供应 the goods. If you are talking about the stock itself, you talk about the 供应 levels. It usually follows the pattern: [Provider] + 供应 + [Receiver] + [Resource]. For example, "The supermarket supplies fresh vegetables."
When To Use It
Use it when discussing logistics or availability. It’s perfect for business meetings when talking about inventory. It’s also great for travel when asking if a hotel provides breakfast. You'll see it on news reports about energy or global trade. It’s the 'adult' way to talk about stuff being available.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use 供应 for emotional support or abstract concepts like love. You wouldn't say you 'supply' your friend with kindness. Also, avoid it for one-off gifts. If you give a friend a coffee, just use 给 (gěi). 供应 implies a steady or planned stream of items. Don't use it for 'providing' an opinion either; that's a different word entirely.
Cultural Background
In China, the concept of 供应 has deep roots in the planned economy era. Back then, 'supply' was everything. People used 'supply coupons' (供应券) to get essentials. Today, it’s shifted to a market-driven meaning. However, that sense of 'ensuring everyone has enough' still lingers in how the word is used during festivals or emergencies. It carries a weight of responsibility.
Common Variations
You’ll often see 供需 (gōng-xū), which means 'supply and demand.' There’s also 供应商 (gōngyìngshāng) for 'supplier.' If a store is out of stock, they might say 停止供应 (tíngzhǐ gōngyìng), meaning they've stopped the supply. It’s a versatile root word that builds the foundation of commerce talk.
Usage Notes
The word is neutral but leans slightly towards formal or professional contexts. Use it for resources, commodities, and services rather than personal favors.
The 'Business' Vibe
If you want to sound like a pro when ordering at a fancy restaurant, ask '你们供应...吗?' instead of just '你们有...吗?' (Do you have...?). It sounds much more sophisticated.
Don't 'Supply' People
In English, we sometimes say we 'provide for' our family. In Chinese, don't use `供应` for this. Use `养` (yǎng - to raise/support) instead. `供应` is for things, not people's livelihoods.
The Power of 'Gong'
The character `供` means to offer. You'll also see it in `供品` (gòngpǐn), which are offerings left for ancestors or at temples. It implies that what is being supplied is necessary and respected.
Examples
6这家酒店供应免费早餐吗？
Does this hotel supply free breakfast?
A very common way to ask about services at a business.
这个城市的水供应很充足。
This city's water supply is very sufficient.
Here it is used as a noun to describe a resource.
对不起，奶茶已经停止供应了。
Sorry, the milk tea is no longer being supplied (available).
A polite but firm way to say something is off the menu.
你们能按时供应原材料吗？
Can you supply the raw materials on time?
Standard business Chinese for logistics.
你的书包简直是一个零食供应站！
Your backpack is practically a snack supply station!
Using a formal word in a casual way for comedic effect.
谢谢你在最困难的时候为我们供应食物。
Thank you for supplying us with food during the hardest times.
Shows the word can carry emotional weight in times of need.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to complete the sentence about a restaurant.
这家餐厅每天___新鲜的海鲜。
While '给' (give) is okay, '供应' (supply) is the professional term used for businesses providing goods to customers.
Complete the phrase for 'Supply and Demand'.
市场上的___平衡非常重要。
‘供需’ (gōng-xū) is the specific short-form compound for 'supply and demand' in economic contexts.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 'Providing'
Giving a small gift or item to a friend.
给 (gěi)
Businesses providing services or goods.
供应 (gōngyìng)
Official provision of aid or large-scale resources.
提供 (tígōng)
Where you'll see '供应'
Restaurant Menu
Limited supply only
Utility Bill
Electricity supply
Office Meeting
Supplier contract
News Report
Global oil supply
Practice Bank
2 exercises这家餐厅每天___新鲜的海鲜。
While '给' (give) is okay, '供应' (supply) is the professional term used for businesses providing goods to customers.
市场上的___平衡非常重要。
‘供需’ (gōng-xū) is the specific short-form compound for 'supply and demand' in economic contexts.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! While it sounds professional, even a small street stall can 供应 breakfast. It just implies they have a stock of it ready for customers.
They are close, but 供应 is usually for physical resources (water, food, electricity). 提供 (tígōng) is broader and used for abstract things like help, information, or opportunities.
Yes! Supply chain is 供应链 (gōngyìngliàn). It's a very common term in modern Chinese business.
You can say 停止供应 (tíngzhǐ gōngyìng) or 供应中断 (gōngyìng zhōngduàn), which means the supply has been interrupted.
Yes, if you're asking a business or a group about availability. For example, asking a group chat '谁能供应一些零食?' (Who can supply some snacks?) is perfectly fine and slightly playful.
The character 供 is the same, but for religious offerings, you usually use 供奉 (gòngfèng). 供应 is strictly for practical, everyday resources.
Absolutely. 供水 (gōngshuǐ) and 供电 (gōngdiàn) are the standard terms for water and power supply services.
It's both! You can say 'They supply food' (verb) or 'The food supply is low' (noun). The grammar stays the same.
That is a 'supplier.' It's the person or company that provides the goods you are buying.
No, that would sound very strange. For emotional support, use 支持 (zhīchí) or 给予 (jǐyǔ).
Related Phrases
提供
To provide/offer (more general and abstract)
供应商
Supplier/Vendor
供需
Supply and demand
充足
Sufficient/Abundant (often describes supply)
