宝

寳/寶

bǎo

宀 + 玉

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

bǎo (noun,adjective) treasure; precious; valuable

bǎo (noun) jewel; gem

Etymology

Simplified form of 寶. Depicts an assortment of valuable things, such as jade (玉), being stored safely under a roof (宀).

About

宝, the simplified form of 寶, depicts precious jade (玉) stored safely under a roof (宀). The traditional character 寶 is more elaborate: under the same roof radical, it combines jade (王, a form of 玉), a pottery jar (缶), and cowrie shells (貝, ancient currency) to represent a storehouse of diverse valuables. The simplification focuses on the roof and jade alone, distilling the essence of something treasured and safeguarded within a dwelling. The character refers to treasure, a cherished object, or can be an affectionate term for a child.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Western Zhou (1045-771 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

宝宝在玩球。

Bǎobao zài wán qiú.

The baby is playing with a ball.

这是我的宝贝书。

Zhè shì wǒ de bǎobèi shū.

This is my precious book.

宝贵的时间不能浪费。

Bǎoguì de shíjiān bùnéng làngfèi.

Precious time cannot be wasted.

她喜欢收集宝石。

Tā xǐhuān shōují bǎoshí.

She likes collecting gemstones.

大学是知识宝库。

Dàxué shì zhīshì bǎokù.

University is a treasure trove of knowledge.

宝座上的皇帝很年轻。

Bǎozuò shàng de huángdì hěn niánqīng.

The emperor on the throne is very young.

这把宝剑历史悠久。

Zhè bǎ bǎojiàn lìshǐ yōujiǔ.

This treasured sword has a long history.

保护这些宝物是我们的使命。

Bǎohù zhèxiē bǎowù shì wǒmen de shǐmìng.

Protecting these treasures is our mission.

Related Characters

Component: 宀

Component: 玉

Example Words