Definition
包袱 (bāo fu) has three distinct meanings: a cloth bundle, a figurative burden or worry, and the punchline in crosstalk comedy. Unlike 背包 (bēi bāo, a modern backpack), 包袱 is a traditional cloth bundle tied at the corners. As a burden, it is more emotional/mental than 担子 (dàn zi, a concrete responsibility or task).
noun
a bundle wrapped in cloth(figurative) a burdensomething weighing on one's mind(in crosstalk/comedy) the punchlinea comedic twist or payoff
Easily confused
- 报复bào fùsound-aliketo retaliate, to take revenge
- 抱负bào fùsound-alikeambition, aspiration (a lofty goal or ideal one strives for)
Examples
- 包袱。Tā bēi zhe yí gè dàbāo fu.He is carrying a large bundle on his back.
- 包袱。Bié bǎ guòqù de shībài dàng chéng xīnlǐ bāo fu.Don't treat past failures as a psychological burden.
- 包袱。Zhège xiàngsheng de bāo fu fēicháng hǎoxiào.The punchline of this crosstalk routine is very funny.
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