褒 (bāo) — (bound form) to praise, to commend

Definition

褒 is a bound form meaning 'to praise or commend,' used almost only in the set pair 褒贬 ('praise and criticism') and the verb 褒扬 ('to commend'). Its opposite is 贬 (to belittle).

bound form
to praiseto commend
Easily confused

Examples

  • ，。
    Zhè ge cí shì bāo yì cí, bú shì biǎn yì cí.
    This word is a commendatory term, not a derogatory one.
  • 。
    Lǎo shī jīng cháng bāo yáng tā xué xí rèn zhēn.
    The teacher often praises him for studying diligently.
  • ，。
    Duì zhè jiàn shì, dà jiā de bāo biǎn bù yī.
    Opinions on this matter vary — some praise, some criticize.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
衣衣yī
Sound part声符shēngfú
保
保bǎo褒bāo
Same sound today

褒 combines 衣, a meaning part, with 保, a sound part.

Appears in
Attitudes & OpinionsCommunication & Speech

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