Definitions

bào (verb) to hold; to carry in arms; to hug; to embrace
bào (verb) to surround
bào (verb) to cherish

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character "抱" is structured with the hand radical (扌) combined with the phonetic component "包", forming a phono-semantic compound that originally conveyed the physical act of embracing or carrying in the arms. Its core meaning centered on enclosing with the hands, but over time it expanded to include abstract senses such as harboring feelings like resentment or hope, and undertaking obligations or tasks. The phonetic element "包" contributes a sense of wrapping or containing, which aligns with both the literal and figurative extensions of the character's use, reflecting a shift from purely physical actions to broader psychological and conceptual applications.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

着一个盒子。

Tā bàozhe yīgè hézi.

She is holding a box.

我感到非常歉。

Wǒ gǎndào fēicháng bàoqiàn.

I feel very sorry.

不要总是怨。

Bùyào zǒng shì bàoyuàn.

Don't always complain.

他怀着远大的理想。

Tā huáibàozhe yuǎndà de lǐxiǎng.

He holds great ideals.

母亲把孩子在怀里。

Mǔqīn bǎ háizi bào zài huái lǐ.

The mother holds the child in her arms.

他对这件事有希望。

Tā duì zhè jiàn shì bàoyǒu xīwàng.

He has hope for this matter.

大家在一起取暖。

Dàjiā bào zài yīqǐ qǔnuǎn.

Everyone huddled together for warmth.

着试一试的心态参加了比赛。

Tā bàozhe shì yī shì de xīntài cānjiāle bǐsài.

He participated in the competition with a mindset of giving it a try.