报以 (bào yǐ) — (formal) to respond with, to give (a reaction, gesture) in return

Definition

报以 is a formal verb meaning 'to respond with (a reaction or gesture)' — it takes a reaction (微笑, 掌声, 沉默) as its object, not the person. Used in writing and speeches, not casual talk.

verb
(formal) to respond withto give (a reaction, gesture) in return

Examples

  • ，报以。
    Miàn duì dà jiā de gǔ lì, tā bào yǐ zhēn chéng de wēi xiào.
    Faced with everyone's encouragement, he responded with a sincere smile.
  • ，报以。
    Yǎn jiǎng jié shù hòu, guān zhòng rè liè dì bào yǐ zhǎng shēng.
    After the speech ended, the audience warmly responded with applause.
  • 报以，。
    Wǒ duì tā de tí yì bào yǐ chén mò, biǎo shì bú zàn chéng.
    I responded to his proposal with silence, expressing disapproval.

Origin

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 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 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape came from a drawing of a person carrying something; in 以, part of that person is still visible on the right.

Open 以 →

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