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宝刀 (bǎo dāo) — treasured sword

Definition

Literary term for a prized, treasured sword — carries cultural weight as an heirloom or symbol of martial prowess. Common in 成语 (e.g. 宝刀未老) and classical-flavored writing rather than everyday speech about ordinary knives.

noun
treasured sword
Measure word · 把

Examples

  • 宝刀。
    Zhè bǎ bǎo dāo shì tā zǔ fù liú xià de chuán jiā bǎo.
    This treasured sword is a family heirloom left by his grandfather.
  • 宝刀，凛凛。
    Tā huī wǔ bǎo dāo, wēi fēng lǐn lǐn.
    He wielded the treasured sword with great majesty.
  • ，宝刀，。
    Lǎo jiàng jūn suī rán nián shì yǐ gāo, dàn bǎo dāo wèi lǎo, jiàn fǎ yī jiù jīng zhàn.
    Though the old general is advanced in years, his skill remains as sharp as ever (lit. treasured sword not aged).

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

宝bǎotreasure
刀dāosword

宝 means treasure and 刀 means sword, together a treasured sword.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 寶; 宝 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánhouse
  • 琡琡chùjade
  • 貝貝bèicowry

The traditional form 寶 shows 宀 (house), 琡 (jade), and 貝 (cowry), drawn together as treasures in a house.

Open 宝 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 刀 comes from a simple picture of a knife.

Open 刀 →
Appears in
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