Definitions

(adjective) extensive; ample
(verb) to study extensively; to learn broadly
(verb) to gamble

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "fight", which later shifted to "win", "plentiful", and "gamble".

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "博" is structured with the component 十, suggesting breadth, alongside 尃, which primarily functions as a phonetic indicator, and its earliest recorded meanings centered on physical width or extensiveness. Over time, the semantic scope of "博" expanded beyond the literal to denote abstract breadth, such as in the concept of erudition or learnedness, as seen in its use in titles for scholars. Additionally, it acquired the meaning of gambling, an activity characterized by risk and the pursuit of gain, thereby applying the core idea of breadth to both intellectual capacity and speculative exchange.

Etymology Hide

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)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
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

他是一位年轻的士。

Tā shì yī wèi niánqīng de bóshì.

He is a young professor (with a doctorate).

这座物馆非常有名。

Zhè zuò bówùguǎn fēicháng yǒumíng.

This museum is very famous.

我经常浏览他的客。

Wǒ jīngcháng liúlǎn tā de bókè.

I often browse his blog.

新闻报道必须保证广和真实。

Xīnwén bàodào bìxū bǎozhèng guǎngbó hé zhēnshí.

News reporting must ensure breadth and truth.

老师鼓励我们要览群书。

Lǎoshī gǔlì wǒmen yào bólǎn qúnshū.

The teacher encourages us to read extensively.

是一种有害的行为。

Dǔbó shì yī zhǒng yǒuhài de xíngwéi.

Gambling is a harmful behavior.

他怀着爱之心帮助了很多人。

Tā huái zhe bó'ài zhī xīn bāngzhù le hěnduō rén.

With a spirit of universal love, he helped many people.

中华文化大精深,源远流长。

Zhōnghuá wénhuà bódà jīngshēn, yuányuǎn liúcháng.

Chinese culture is vast and profound, with a long history.