Definition
报 (bào) is a versatile verb meaning 'to report', 'to sign up', or 'to repay/avenge' — but it often appears in compounds that specify the meaning (e.g. 报名, 报告, 报仇). Unlike siblings like 报答 (repay kindness) and 报复 (retaliate), which are standalone verbs, 报 alone needs a direct object (报恩, 报仇). Think of 报 as the core; the siblings add the detail.
verb
to reportto announceto registerto sign up (as in 报名)to repay (a favor)to avenge (a wrong)
Measure word · 份, 张
Easily confused
- 搀chānlook-aliketo take by the arm and assist (e.g., an elderly or injured person)
- 包bāosound-alike(verb) to wrap; to bundle
- 拣jiǎnlook-aliketo pick, to choose (from a group, often with care or by sorting)
- 抱bàosound-aliketo hold in one's arms; to hug; to embrace
- 扬yánglook-aliketo raise, to lift up
- 保Bǎosound-alike(verb) to protect, to guarantee, to maintain
- 抛pāolook-aliketo throw, to toss, to fling
- 爆bàosound-aliketo explode, to burst
- 扣kòulook-alike(verb) to deduct (money), to withhold
- 宝bǎosound-aliketreasure; gem; precious object
Examples
- 。Jìzhě zhèngzài bàodào xīnwén.The journalist is reporting the news.
- ？Nǐ bào míng le ma?Did you sign up?
- ！Wǒ yào bào chóu!I will take revenge!
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