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钵 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
钵bōearthen basin; alms bowlng, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #19399, Hard
钵bōsmall earthenware plate or basinunknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #19399, Hard
钵bōa monk's alms bowlunknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #19399, Hard
钵bōSanskrit paatraunknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #19399, Hard
bō(bo1) T1
  1. 1earthen basin; alms bowl
  2. 2small earthenware plate or basin
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March 24, 2026
钵(缽)bō(bo1)

The character 钵 (bō) refers to an earthen basin or alms bowl commonly used by monks for collecting food donations. It symbolizes humility and the practice of receiving alms in Buddhist culture. This character is often associated with religious and spiritual contexts, particularly within Buddhism.

Strokes10Radical钅Frequency#19399DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the alms bowl is a symbol of a monk's reliance on the generosity of the community, reflecting values of humility and community support. It is often featured in Buddhist ceremonies and is emblematic of the monastic lifestyle.

Memory Tip

Imagine a monk holding a large earthen bowl (钵) filled with rice. The shape of the bowl resembles the rounded top of the character, and its flat base reminds you of the stability and humility it represents. Sound it out like 'bowl' to remember its pronunciation.

Meanings of 钵

bō(bo1)
1earthen basin; alms bowl
2small earthenware plate or basin
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 钵

钵Simplified
缽Traditional
10Strokes
钅Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 钵

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Podcast: 钵

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AI Study Notes for 钵

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a monk holding a large earthen bowl (钵) filled with rice. The shape of the bowl resembles the rounded top of the character, and its flat base reminds you of the stability and humility it represents. Sound it out like 'bowl' to remember its pronunciation.

Usage Notes

钵 is generally used in formal contexts related to Buddhism or religious practices. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar characters like 碗 (wǎn, bowl) or 盆 (pén, basin), which have different usages. Be mindful of its specific meaning related to alms and spirituality.

HSK Study Tips

Although 钵 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects to cultural themes prevalent in HSK Level 2 and 3, such as food and religious practices. Students should focus on recognizing its cultural significance alongside related vocabulary about Buddhism.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the alms bowl is a symbol of a monk's reliance on the generosity of the community, reflecting values of humility and community support. It is often featured in Buddhist ceremonies and is emblematic of the monastic lifestyle.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 钵 with 碗 (wǎn), which means 'bowl' in a general sense. For example, saying '我有一个钵' (wǒ yǒu yí gè bō) when referring to a regular bowl is incorrect; it should be '我有一个碗' (wǒ yǒu yí gè wǎn).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 钵

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Etymology of 钵

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

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 本 represents the sound. Simplified form of 缽.

Memory Hint

gold

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 钵?

Decomposition of 钵

IDS Structure⿰钅本
钵Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
本ben3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 钵?

Write 钵

钵

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

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Grammar Patterns of 钵

钵 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 1

Complete the Sentence

布赖恩如同旋转舞蹈的托____僧一样转来转去，一边拍打着蚊子一边抱怨不停。

Brian was whirling like a dervish, slapping at the mosquitoes and moaning.

Example Sentences for 钵 (1)

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1
布赖恩如同旋转舞蹈的托钵僧一样转来转去，一边拍打着蚊子一边抱怨不停。

bù lài ēn rú tóng xuán zhuǎn wǔ dǎo de tuō bō sēng yī yàng zhuǎn lái zhuǎn qù， ， yī biān pāi dǎ zháo wén zǐ yī biān bào yuàn bù。

Brian was whirling like a dervish, slapping at the mosquitoes and moaning.

Cultural Notes for 钵

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the alms bowl is a symbol of a monk's reliance on the generosity of the community, reflecting values of humility and community support. It is often featured in Buddhist ceremonies and is emblematic of the monastic lifestyle.

Word Family of 钵

Words Containing This Character4
钵bōSanskrit paatra缽
衣钵legacy衣缽
钵盂alms bowl缽盂
钵头earthen bowl (Shanghainese)缽頭
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 钵 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 钵

In Buddhism, 钵 refers to the alms bowl used by monks to collect food offerings from laypeople.