suit
Definitions
A set of matching clothes, usually a jacket with trousers or a skirt, made from the same cloth
（成套的）西装；套装
Any of the four sets (hearts, spades, diamonds, clubs) in a deck of playing cards
（纸牌的）花色
A claim or case brought to a court of law; a lawsuit
诉讼；官司
To be convenient or acceptable for someone; to fit someone's needs or wishes
对……合适；方便；中意
To look attractive on someone; to match well with someone or something
（颜色、衣着等）适合，相称
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedsuit comes from Old French suite 'a following, a set that goes together' (from Latin sequī 'to follow'). The core image is a matching set: clothes cut to match (a suit), cards of the same set (a suit in a deck), or matching your needs (it suits you). The 'lawsuit' sense is the older idea of 'following' a case through the courts.
Root suit still carries 7 more wordsUsage Guide
- Clothing (n.): a business suit, a three-piece suit — countable.
- Cards (n.): hearts/spades/diamonds/clubs are the four suits; 'follow suit' literally = play the same suit, and idiomatically = do as others do.
- Law (n.): file/bring a suit; often expanded to 'lawsuit.'
- Fit (v.): 'X suits you' for clothes/colors/appearance; 'does X suit you?' for convenience — never use a preposition here ('it suits me,' not 'suits to me'). Compare suit (matches you) vs fit (right size).
Example Sentences
- 1.
He wore a dark blue suit to the interview.
- 2.
In bridge, you must follow suit if you can.
- 3.
The company is facing a suit over the faulty product.
- 4.
Does Friday afternoon suit you for the meeting?
- 5.
That shade of green really suits her.
Easily Confused
suit vs fit — both translate as '合适' but differ: 'fit' is about size/dimensions (these shoes fit me); 'suit' is about whether something matches you or your needs (this color suits you; Tuesday suits me). A shirt can fit you (right size) but not suit you (wrong style).