TongTong
Sign in

看报 (kàn bào) — to read a newspaper (a verb-object compound)

Definition

A verb-object compound meaning 'to read a newspaper,' formed from 看 + 报. 报纸 (the common word for 'newspaper') is far more frequent in modern Chinese; 看报 sounds more dated and literary.

verb
to read a newspaper (a verb-object compound)

Examples

  • 。
    Tā zhèng zài fáng jiān lǐ kàn bào.
    He is reading a newspaper in the room.
  • 。
    Wǒ zǎo shàng kàn le yí huì r bào cái chū mén.
    I read the newspaper for a while in the morning before going out.
  • 。
    Fù qīn xǐ huan yì biān hē chá yì biān kàn bào.
    My father likes to read the newspaper while drinking tea.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

The shape 看 puts 手 (hand) over 目 (eye), showing a hand placed above the eyes to gaze into the distance.

Open 看 →

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 →
Appears in
Media & NewsReading & Writing

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.