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 a phono-semantic compound with the hand radical 扌 on the left and 包 on the right. The component 包 provides the phonetic element while also contributing semantic value, as it means to wrap or enclose. The hand radical denotes an action performed with the arms or hands. Together, these elements create the core meaning: to hold in the arms, embrace, or hug. This concept extended metaphorically to encompass harboring thoughts, holding beliefs, cherishing aspirations, or adopting an idea, shifting from physical embrace to the mental or emotional holding of concepts.

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.