宝 (bǎo) — treasure; gem; precious object
Definition
宝 is a literary/formal word for a treasure or gem, used mostly in set phrases like 宝物 or 珠宝. For a person (term of endearment) or everyday 'treasure,' use 宝贝.
noun
treasuregemprecious object
Measure word · 个
Examples
- 宝。Zhè kuài bǎo shì cóng guó wài mǎi lái de.This gem was bought from abroad.
- 。Bó wù guǎn lǐ yǒu hěn duō gǔ dài bǎo wù.There are many ancient treasures in the museum.
- 宝。Tā bǎ nà běn shū dàng chéng bǎo yí yàng zhēn xī.He cherishes that book as if it were a treasure.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo 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.
Appears in
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