Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
渤 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
swelling; the Bohai seazg, 12 strokes, radical 氵, Very Hard
same as 渤海[Bo2 Hai3], Bohai Sea between Liaoning and Shandongunknown, 12 strokes, radical 氵, Very Hard
Gulf of Zhili or Chihliunknown, 12 strokes, radical 氵, Very Hard
(Bo2) T2
  1. 1swelling; the Bohai sea
  2. 2same as 渤海[Bo2 Hai3], Bohai Sea between Liaoning and Shandong
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(Bo2)

The character 渤 (bó) primarily refers to the Bohai Sea, an important body of water located between Liaoning and Shandong provinces in China. It can also signify a swelling or a bulging shape. This term is commonly used in geographical contexts, particularly when discussing regions and bodies of water in northern China.

Strokes12RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The Bohai Sea is a significant area in Chinese culture, serving as a vital shipping route and influencing local economies. It is often featured in discussions about maritime history and trade in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine the letter 'B' (for Bohai) floating on the water of the sea. The character 渤 looks like waves (the radical 水) swelling up (the shape of the character) to form the sea. Picture a boat bobbing on the waves, saying 'Bó' as it rises and falls.

Meanings of 渤

(Bo2)
1swelling; the Bohai sea
2Gulf of Zhili or Chihli
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 渤

Simplified
12Strokes
Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 渤

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 渤

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine the letter 'B' (for Bohai) floating on the water of the sea. The character 渤 looks like waves (the radical 水) swelling up (the shape of the character) to form the sea. Picture a boat bobbing on the waves, saying 'Bó' as it rises and falls.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 渤 with other water-related characters due to their similar components. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about geography. Be careful with the pronunciation, as misplacing the tone can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 渤 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other geographical terms that students may encounter. Focus on the pronunciation and context when learning, as this will help in recognizing related terms in discussions about Chinese geography.

Cultural Note

The Bohai Sea is a significant area in Chinese culture, serving as a vital shipping route and influencing local economies. It is often featured in discussions about maritime history and trade in China.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly write 渤 as 沢 (zé), which means marsh or swamp. Remember that 渤 is specifically associated with the Bohai Sea, while 沢 has a different meaning and usage.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 渤

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 渤

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

water

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 渤?

Decomposition of 渤

IDS Structure⿰氵勃
Full Character
=
shui3
left
bo2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 渤?

Write 渤

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 渤

🏮Cultural insight

The Bohai Sea is a significant area in Chinese culture, serving as a vital shipping route and influencing local economies. It is often featured in discussions about maritime history and trade in China.

Word Family of 渤

Words Containing This Character3
渤海Bohai Sea, or Bo Hai, between Liaoning and Shandong
Gulf of Zhili or Chihli
渤海湾Bohai Bay渤海灣
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 渤海 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 渤

It refers to the Bohai Sea and can also mean swelling or bulging.