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读报 (dú bào) — to read (a) newspaper(s)

Definition

A verb-object phrase: 'to read a newspaper.' Like other 离合词, you can insert 了 or a measure phrase between 读 and 报 (读了一份报, 读一会儿报).

verb
to read (a) newspaper(s)

Examples

  • 。
    Tā měi tiān dōu yào huā bàn xiǎo shí dú bào.
    He spends half an hour reading newspapers every day.
  • 。
    Zuó tiān wǒ dú le yí fèn yǒu qù de bào.
    Yesterday I read an interesting newspaper.
  • ？
    Nǐ jīn tiān dú shén me bào?
    What newspaper are you reading today?

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

读dúread
报bàonewspaper

读 is reading, and 报 is a newspaper; together they mean reading newspapers.

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 讀; 读 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánto say
Sound part声符shēngfú
𧶠
𧶠𧶠讀dú
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 讀 is made of 言 ('to say') and 𧶠 (giving the sound); this description is about 讀, not 读.

Open 读 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 報; 报 is its simplified writing.

  • 㚔㚔㚔handcuffs
  • 𠬝𠬝𠬝to subdue

The traditional form 報 puts 㚔 (handcuffs) beside 𠬝 (to subdue), showing someone restrained and subdued, as in convicting or punishing a guilty person. The simplified 报 is a later shorthand.

Open 报 →
Appears in
Media & NewsReading & Writing

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