支配 means 'to control' or 'to dominate'—it describes exerting strong, often authoritative influence over someone or something. The character 支 (zhī) originally meant 'to support' or 'to prop up', while 配 (pèi) means 'to match', 'to assign', or 'to pair'. Together, they convey the idea of assigning authority or directing resources and actions, implying a top-down, systematic form of control—not just influence, but decisive command. It’s commonly used in formal, academic, or descriptive contexts, especially when discussing power dynamics, biological behavior, or social structures.

The word frequently appears in discussions about animal behavior (e.g., dominance hierarchies in packs), organizational leadership, or psychological processes (e.g., unconscious impulses that支配 our decisions). Unlike more neutral verbs like 控制 (kòngzhì), 支配 carries a stronger connotation of inevitability or structural inevitability—it suggests that the controlled entity has little autonomy. It is rarely used in casual speech and is almost never applied to light or temporary influence.