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举杯 (jǔ bēi) — to raise one's glass (in a toast); to propose a toast

Definition

举杯 is a set phrase meaning 'to raise one's glass / propose a toast', used formally at banquets, weddings, and celebrations. Note it is a separable verb: 举杯 → 举了三次杯 (raised a glass three times).

verb
to raise one's glass (in a toast)to propose a toast

Examples

  • 举杯。
    Dà jiā jǔ bēi qìng zhù shèng lì.
    Everyone raised their glasses to celebrate the victory.
  • ，举杯。
    Zài yàn huì shàng, zhǔ rén dài tóu jǔ bēi.
    At the banquet, the host took the lead in proposing a toast.
  • ，。
    Wǒ men jǔ le sān cì bēi, zhù dà jiā jiàn kāng.
    We raised our glasses three times, toasting everyone's health.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

举jǔraise
杯bēicup

举 means raise and 杯 means cup, so the word describes raising a glass in a toast.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 舉; 举 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
與
與yǔ舉jǔ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 舉 pairs 與, which gives the sound, with 手, a hand; the simplified 举 is a later shorthand.

Open 举 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mù
Sound part声符shēngfú
不
不bù杯bēi
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

杯 is built from 木, meaning wood, and 不, which gives the sound.

Open 杯 →
Appears in
Dining & Restaurants

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