Definition
报复 (bàofù) means 'to retaliate, to take revenge' — a general term for striking back after a wrong, often in formal or institutional contexts. 报仇 (bàochóu) is more personal and emotional, implying a vendetta. Unlike 回报/报答 (positive reciprocation), 报复 is always negative.
verb
to retaliateto take revenge
Easily confused
- 包袱bāo fusound-alikea bundle wrapped in cloth
- 抱负bào fùsound-alikeambition, aspiration (a lofty goal or ideal one strives for)
Examples
- 报复。Tā yīnwèi bèi péngyou chūmài ér juédìng bào fù.He decided to retaliate because he was betrayed by a friend.
- 报复。Gōngsī bú huì bào fù nàxiē jǔbào de yuángōng.The company won't retaliate against those whistleblowing employees.
- ，报复。Rúguǒ duìfāng xiān gōngjī, wǒmen yǒuquán bào fù.If the other side attacks first, we have the right to retaliate.
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