The kanji 配 generally conveys the meaning of distribution, allocation, arrangement, or to be assigned or matched. It often implies a process of giving something out, arranging things in a certain way, or assigning something to a specific place or person.

・On-yomi (音読み): ハイ (hai) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): くば(る) (kuba(ru))

⚫︎ 配る (kubaru) Translation: To distribute, to hand out ⚫︎ 分配 (bunpai) Translation: Distribution, allocation ⚫︎ 心配 (shinpai) Translation: Worry, concern

The kanji 配 is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字, keisei moji). The left side is 酉 (sake vessel) and the right side is 己 (oneself, or a phonetic component). 酉 (sake vessel) suggests a connection to distribution as liquor was often given out in ceremonies. 己 acts as a sound component and also provides the general meaning of "one's self." The combination originally described the act of sharing or distributing liquor. Over time, the meaning expanded to encompass more general forms of distribution and allocation.