Definitions

(verb) to repair; to patch; to mend
(verb) to make up for; to compensate
(verb) to supplement; to fill (a vacancy)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "补", simplified from the traditional form "補", structurally incorporates the clothing radical "衣" (represented as "衤" in the simplified form) alongside the component "甫" in its traditional iteration, which historically contributed to its phonetic value and reinforced its original semantic field of mending textiles. Etymologically rooted in the concrete act of patching or repairing garments, its application broadened over centuries to abstract and general senses of making repairs, filling gaps, or providing supplements, such as in medical contexts where it means to tonify or in academic settings where it refers to remedial study. The simplified character substitutes "甫" with "卜", a component that similarly offers phonetic guidance while the retained clothing radical continues to allude to the character's foundational meaning.

Etymology Hide

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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我今天要课。

Wǒ jīntiān yào bǔkè.

I have to make up a lesson today.

我需要办护照。

Wǒ xūyào bǔbàn hùzhào.

I need to reapply for a passport.

医生建议我钙。

Yīshēng jiànyì wǒ bǔ gài.

The doctor advised me to supplement calcium.

因为生病,他需要考。

Yīnwèi shēngbìng, tā xūyào bǔkǎo.

Because he was sick, he needs to take a make-up exam.

这个丁打得很好。

Zhège bǔdīng dǎ de hěn hǎo.

This patch is sewn on very well.

公司会偿你的损失。

Gōngsī huì bǔcháng nǐ de sǔnshī.

The company will compensate for your loss.

为了充维生素,他多吃水果。

Wèile bǔchōng wéishēngsù, tā duō chī shuǐguǒ.

To supplement vitamins, he eats more fruit.

经过充调查,证据更加充分。

Jīngguò bǔchōng diàochá, zhèngjù gèngjiā chōngfèn.

After supplementary investigation, the evidence is more sufficient.