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March 24, 2026
哺bū(bu1)
The character 哺 (bū) primarily means 'to feed' or 'to nourish.' It is often used in contexts related to feeding animals or children and can also refer to the evening meal. The character conveys a sense of caring or nurturing, emphasizing the act of providing sustenance.
Strokes10Radical口Frequency#60579DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of nurturing, particularly in the context of family and nature, is deeply valued, reflecting traditional views on child-rearing and animal care. The character reflects this importance of feeding as a form of love and responsibility.
Memory Tip
Imagine a mother bird (the radical of 'bird' is found in the character) feeding her chicks, which helps you remember 哺 (bū) means 'to feed.' The sound 'bū' can be linked to the sound of birds chirping as they are being fed.
Meanings of 哺
bū(bu1)
primary
1to feed
2to eat
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 哺
哺Simplified
10Strokes
口Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#60579Frequency Rank
Podcast: 哺
Podcast: 哺
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AI Study Notes for 哺
Quick Contrast
哺 (bū) vs 喂 (wèi) — use 哺 for a more nurturing context of feeding, while 喂 is more casual and often used for calling animals to eat.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a mother bird (the radical of 'bird' is found in the character) feeding her chicks, which helps you remember 哺 (bū) means 'to feed.' The sound 'bū' can be linked to the sound of birds chirping as they are being fed.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 哺 (bū) with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. This word is more formal and may not be commonly used in casual conversation; instead, you might hear it in written contexts or discussions about nutrition. Common collocations include 哺乳 (bǔrǔ - to breastfeed) and 哺育 (bǔyù - to nurture).
HSK Study Tips
Although 哺 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, it is relevant for learners at HSK 4 or higher due to its connections with topics like family and care. Students should focus on the pronunciation and recognize its usage in compound words.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of nurturing, particularly in the context of family and nature, is deeply valued, reflecting traditional views on child-rearing and animal care. The character reflects this importance of feeding as a form of love and responsibility.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 哺 (bū) with 吃 (chī), which simply means 'to eat.' For example, saying '我哺了' (I fed) instead of '我吃了' (I ate) can lead to confusion. Remember that 哺 emphasizes the act of providing food rather than just consuming it.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 哺
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Grammar Patterns of 哺
哺 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
在____乳动物细胞中脑磷脂和神经节苷脂可能执行同样的功能.
Those in mammalian cells, the cerebrosides and gangliosides, may perform similar functions.
Those in mammalian cells, the cerebrosides and gangliosides, may perform similar functions.
2
蟒主要吃鸟和小的哺乳动物.
mǎng zhǔ yào chī niǎo hé xiǎo de bǔ rǔ dòng wù.
The boa feeds on birds and small mammals.
3
哺乳本身刺激催乳激素的产生, 从而生产更多的乳汁.
bǔ rǔ běn shēn cì jī cuī rǔ jī sù de chǎn shēng, , cóng ér shēng chǎn gēng duō de rǔ.
Nursing stimulates further production of prolactin and, therefore, of milk.
4
鱼的鳃与哺乳动物的肺很相似.
yú de sāi yǔ bǔ rǔ dòng wù de fèi hěn xiāng sì.
There is a close analogy between the gills of a fish and the lungs of a mammal.
Cultural Notes for 哺
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of nurturing, particularly in the context of family and nature, is deeply valued, reflecting traditional views on child-rearing and animal care. The character reflects this importance of feeding as a form of love and responsibility.
Word Family of 哺
Words Containing This Character8
哺乳动物mammal哺乳動物
哺乳bǔrǔto suckle
哺育bǔyùto feed
哺būto feed
反哺to to repay
哺乳类mammals哺乳類
嗷嗷待哺cry piteously for food
哺养feed哺養
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 哺乳动物 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 哺
哺 (bū) is more formal and emphasizes nourishing, often used for infants or animals, while 喂 (wèi) is more casual and commonly used when feeding pets or people.
哺 is less common in everyday conversation but can be used in more formal discussions about child-rearing or animal care.
While its primary meaning is 'to feed,' it can also imply nurturing or caring for someone, which can include the act of feeding.
