报喜 (bào xǐ) — to announce good news; to report success

Definition

报喜 is a set verb meaning 'to announce good news or report success,' typically followed by a destination (向…报喜). It is more formal and celebratory than everyday 告诉.

verb
to announce good newsto report success

Examples

  • 报喜。
    Tā jí máng huí jiā xiàng fù mǔ bào xǐ.
    He hurried home to announce the good news to his parents.
  • 。
    Gōng sī shàng ge yuè bào le yí gè dà xǐ.
    The company announced a big piece of good news last month.
  • ,报喜。
    Bǐ sài yì jié shù, jiào liàn jiù xiàng duì yuán bào xǐ.
    As soon as the match ended, the coach reported the success to the team.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

报bàoreport
喜xǐgood news

报 means announce and 喜 means good news; together they describe announcing good news or success.

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 →

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

喜 combines 壴, a drum, with 口, a mouth.

Open 喜 →

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