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宝典 (bǎo diǎn) — valuable book; treasured book

Definition

宝典 (bǎodiǎn) literally means 'treasured book' and is used for a definitive, highly valued guide or manual (e.g. 武术宝典 'martial arts manual'). It implies the book is an authoritative reference worth cherishing, not just any book.

noun
valuable booktreasured book
Measure word · 本

Examples

  • 宝典。
    Zhè běn bǎo diǎn shì wǒ men jiā zuì zhēn guì de shū.
    This treasured book is the most precious book in our family.
  • 宝典。
    Tā měi tiān dōu huì fān kàn nà běn wǔ shù bǎo diǎn.
    He looks at that martial arts manual every day.
  • 宝典。
    Zhè běn zhǐ nán shì hù wài yùn dòng ài hào zhě de bǎo diǎn.
    This guide is a treasured book for outdoor enthusiasts.

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bǎoprecious
典diǎnbook

宝 gives precious or treasured, and 典 gives book or classic, forming a treasured book.

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 →

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

  • 冊冊cèbooks
  • 丌丌qítable

典 puts 冊 (books) on a 丌 (table), showing official books resting on a table.

Open 典 →
Appears in
Reading & Writing

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