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簸 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
簸bǒto winnown, 19 strokes, radical ⺮, Hard
簸bǒdust pann, 19 strokes, radical ⺮, Hard
簸bǒtoss (as waves)n, 19 strokes, radical ⺮, Hard
簸bǒdustpan; to winnow, to tossn, 19 strokes, radical ⺮, Hard
簸bòto winnown, 19 strokes, radical ⺮, Hard
簸bòdust pann, 19 strokes, radical ⺮, Hard
簸bòtoss (as waves)n, 19 strokes, radical ⺮, Hard
簸bòdustpan; to winnow, to tossn, 19 strokes, radical ⺮, Hard
bǒ(bo3)
primary
T3
  1. 1to winnow
  2. 2dust pan
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

簸bǒ(bo3)

The character 簸 (bǒ) primarily means 'to winnow,' which refers to the process of separating grain from chaff using a fan or basket. It can also denote a 'dustpan,' a tool used for collecting dust and debris. This word is often used in agricultural contexts or when discussing cleaning tools.

Strokes19Radical⺮Frequency#3370DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese farming, winnowing is a crucial step in harvesting grain, reflecting the importance of agriculture in Chinese culture and history. The use of simple tools like a 簸箕 (bǒjī - winnowing basket) is still common in rural areas.

Memory Tip

Imagine a farmer using a dustpan to toss away chaff while winnowing grain, and notice how the shape of the character 簸 resembles a fan being used to toss the grain. The pronunciation 'bǒ' can be remembered by picturing a big wave (the '波' radical) tossing the grain in the air.

Meanings of 簸

bǒ(bo3)
primary
1to winnow
2dust pan
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 簸

簸Simplified
19Strokes
⺮Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 簸

JasonAmy

Podcast: 簸

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AI Study Notes for 簸

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 簸 with similar-sounding words. It is generally used in informal contexts related to farming or cleaning. Be careful with the tone; the third tone can change the meaning significantly if mispronounced.

HSK Study Tips

Although 簸 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to agricultural terms often encountered in HSK Level 3 and beyond. Focus on how it relates to actions of separating and cleaning, which can enhance your understanding of similar verbs.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 簸 to mean 'to throw' in a general sense, which is incorrect. For example, saying '我想簸球' (wǒ xiǎng bǒ qiú - I want to toss the ball) should be corrected to '我想扔球' (wǒ xiǎng rēng qiú).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 簸

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Etymology of 簸

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

bamboo

Semantic (meaning)⺮
+
Phonetic (sound)皮
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 簸

  1. 1The meaning half⺮ carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half皮 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaybamboo
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 簸? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 簸?

Decomposition of 簸

IDS Structure⿱⺮⿰其皮
簸Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
其qi2
left
皮Pi2
right
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 簸?

How to say to winnow in Chinese

“to winnow” in Chinese is簸bǒ

The character 簸 (bǒ) primarily means 'to winnow,' which refers to the process of separating grain from chaff using a fan or basket. It can also denote a 'dustpan,' a tool used for collecting dust and debris. This word is often used in agricultural contexts or when discussing cleaning tools.

When to use 簸

Learners often confuse 簸 with similar-sounding words. It is generally used in informal contexts related to farming or cleaning. Be careful with the tone; the third tone can change the meaning significantly if mispronounced.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 簸 to mean 'to throw' in a general sense, which is incorrect. For example, saying '我想簸球' (wǒ xiǎng bǒ qiú - I want to toss the ball) should be corrected to '我想扔球' (wǒ xiǎng rēng qiú).

Write 簸

簸

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 簸

簸 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

那辆长途汽车危险地颠____摇晃。

The coach rocked dangerously.

Example Sentences for 簸 (8)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
那辆长途汽车危险地颠簸摇晃。

nà liàng cháng tú qì chē wēi xiǎn dì diān bò yáo huǎng。

The coach rocked dangerously.
2
我们担心稍微颠簸一下就可能会使她的伤势恶化。

wǒ mén dān xīn shāo wēi diān bò yī xià jiù kě néng huì shǐ tā de shāng shì è huà。

We were worried that one tiny jolt could worsen her injuries.
3
卡车嘎吱嘎吱地在凹凸不平的地面上颠簸而行。

kǎ chē gā zhī gā zhī dì zài āo tū bù píng de dì miàn shàng diān bò ér háng。

The truck jolted and rattled over the rough ground.
4
这辆旧卡车在蜿蜒的公路上缓慢地颠簸前行。

zhè liàng jiù kǎ chē zài wān yán de gōng lù shàng huǎn màn dì diān bò qián háng。

The old truck stuttered along the winding road.
5
那批易碎的瓷器经过颠簸的旅途仍完好无损.

nà pī yì suì de cí qì jīng guò diān bò de lǚ tú réng wán hǎo wú sǔn.

The fragile china survived the bumpy journey safe and sound.
6
这小舱房的甲板剧烈地颠簸了一下.

zhè xiǎo cāng fáng de jiǎ bǎn jù liè dì diān bò le yī xià.

The deck of the small cabin sharply pitched and bumped.
7
然后我注意到那辆车在上下颠簸,好像有人在车上蹦跳似的。

rán hòu wǒ zhù yì dào nà liàng chē zài shàng xià diān bò, , hǎo xiàng yǒu rén zài chē shàng bèng tiào sì。

Then I noticed the car was bouncing up and down as if someone were jumping on it.
8
她正在厨房把面包屑扫入簸箕里。

tā zhèng zài chú fáng bǎ miàn bāo xiè sǎo rù bò jī lǐ。

She was in the kitchen sweeping crumbs into a dust pan.

Word Family of 簸

Words Containing This Character5
颠簸diānbǒto shake顛簸
簸箕dustpan
簸bǒto winnow
簸扬winnow簸揚
簸荡roll簸蕩
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 颠簸 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 簸

While both involve tossing, 簸 specifically refers to the action of winnowing or using a dustpan, whereas 扔 (rēng) is a more general term for throwing.

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