Definitions

bào (adjective) violent; cruel
bào (verb) expose; reveal
bào (adjective) sudden; abrupt

Etymology

Depicts two hands () laying out rice () to dry under the sun (), representing the meaning "expose to sun", now written as . The meaning later shifted to "expose", "injure", and "violent".

About

The character "暴" is structurally based on the semantic component "日" (sun) positioned above a complex element that historically conveyed actions associated with drying or exposing. Etymologically, it initially denoted "to dry in the sun" or "to expose", with this sense later broadening to include "to reveal" or "to make public". Over time, the character acquired additional meanings of "sudden" and "violent", likely through metaphorical connections to the abrupt or intense nature of exposure. The traditional form of the character, which is also used in simplified contexts, maintains this configuration with "日" atop the unchanged lower component.

Etymology Hide

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 Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

外面正在下雨。

Wàimiàn zhèngzài xià bàoyǔ.

It is raining heavily outside.

力不能解决问题。

Bàolì bùnéng jiějué wèntí.

Violence cannot solve problems.

他的秘密露了。

Tā de mìmì bàolù le.

His secret was exposed.

他脾气很躁。

Tā píqì hěn bàozào.

He has a very irritable temper.

火山突然发了。

Huǒshān tūrán bàofā le.

The volcano suddenly erupted.

雪导致交通中断。

Bàoxuě dǎozhì jiāotōng zhōngduàn.

The blizzard caused traffic disruption.

听到消息后他怒不已。

Tīngdào xiāoxi hòu tā bàonù bùyǐ.

After hearing the news, he was furious endlessly.

商人通过投机获取利。

Shāngrén tōngguò tóujī huòqǔ bàolì.

Merchants obtain exorbitant profits through speculation.