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 as a phono-semantic compound, combining the hand radical (扌) to signify manual action with the component "包" which provides phonetic guidance and contributes semantically through its association with wrapping or enclosing. Its etymology centers on the act of using one's arms to hold or envelop an object, a literal sense that has persisted as its core meaning while gradually accommodating more abstract applications such as harboring emotions or embracing ideas. Over centuries, the character has maintained a stable written form, with its components continuously reflecting the intertwined notions of physical grasp and conceptual containment, allowing it to function in contexts ranging from concrete embrace to metaphorical possession.

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.