犒赏 (kào shǎng) — (verb) to reward with money or gifts (from a superior to subordinates); (noun) a reward or bounty (given by a superior)

Definition

犒赏 (kào shǎng) is a formal, written-style verb/noun meaning 'to reward generously (troops, employees)' with money, food, or gifts, usually from a superior after a victory or big effort. Much more literary and ceremonial than everyday 奖励 or 奖赏.

verb
to reward with money or gifts (from a superior to subordinates)
noun
a reward or bounty (given by a superior)

Examples

  • 犒赏。
    Gōng sī jué dìng kào shǎng quán tǐ yuán gōng měi rén yì qiān yuán.
    The company decided to reward every employee with one thousand yuan each.
  • 犒赏。
    Jiāng jūn yòng jiǔ ròu kào shǎng le kǎi xuán de shì bīng.
    The general rewarded the returning soldiers with wine and meat.
  • 犒赏。
    Zhè cì shèng lì de kào shǎng fēi cháng fēng hòu.
    The reward for this victory was very generous.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

犒kàoreward
赏shǎngreward

犒 and 赏 both mean reward, together referring to giving rewards or bounty.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
牛牛niúcow
Sound part声符shēngfú
高
高gāo犒kào
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

犒 is built from 牛, a cow, and 高, which gives the sound.

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 賞; 赏 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
貝貝bèicowry
Sound part声符shēngfú
商
商shāng賞shǎng
Same sound today

The traditional form 賞 pairs 商 for sound with 貝, a cowry shell; the simplified 赏 is a shorthand.

Open 赏 →

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