About
The character "堡" originated as a semantic-phonetic compound, combining the phonetic component "保" (bǎo), which suggests its pronunciation and contributes the notion of protection, with the radical "土" (earth) to denote its meaning related to earthen structures. Its traditional form, "堡", maintains this exact composition. Historically, the character referred specifically to a fortified military stronghold, often a walled garrison or earthwork fort, which aligned directly with its structural elements of defense and earth. Over centuries, its application broadened beyond purely military contexts to encompass any sturdy, fortress-like building, leading to its use in terms for civilian structures such as blockhouses, castles, and eventually even small towns or villages that retained a sense of being enclosed or fortified, while its core concept of a defensible place remained central.
Example Sentences Hide
我爱吃汉堡。
这个汉堡很好吃。
那座城堡很古老。
军队守卫着堡垒。
山坡上有一个碉堡。
科学是真理的堡垒。
这座古老的城堡吸引了许多游客。
在战争期间，堡垒起到了关键的防御作用。