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March 24, 2026
仆pū(pu1)
The character 仆 (pū) primarily means a servant or a person who serves others, often in a domestic context. It also conveys the notion of falling forward or prostrating oneself, which can imply submission or humility. This character is frequently used in literary and formal contexts, emphasizing the role of servants in traditional Chinese society.
Strokes4Radical亻Frequency#26006DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of servitude is deeply rooted, with historical implications reflecting social status and family structure. The use of 仆 often evokes imagery of the past when servants played crucial roles in wealthy households.
Memory Tip
Imagine a servant (仆) falling forward to show respect. The left radical '人' represents a person, and the right part looks like someone prostrating. Picture this servant, in a humble bow, trying to please their master, which connects to both the pronunciation 'pū' and the meaning of submission.
Meanings of 仆
pū(pu1)
primary
1to fall forward; prostrate, prone; servant
2to fall prostrate
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 仆
仆Simplified
4Strokes
亻Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 仆
Podcast: 仆
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AI Study Notes for 仆
Quick Contrast
仆 (pū) vs 奴 (nú) — use 仆 for a servant or attendant in a more respectful or formal context, while 奴 carries a more derogatory connotation of slavery or servitude.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a servant (仆) falling forward to show respect. The left radical '人' represents a person, and the right part looks like someone prostrating. Picture this servant, in a humble bow, trying to please their master, which connects to both the pronunciation 'pū' and the meaning of submission.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 仆 (pū) with other similar-sounding words that may have different meanings. This term is more formal and is often used in literature or historical contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 仆人 (púrén), meaning 'servant' or 'domestic help'.
HSK Study Tips
While 仆 is not part of the HSK levels, understanding it can enhance your grasp of vocabulary related to social roles and relationships. Students should focus on recognizing how this word relates to others describing social hierarchy or domestic roles.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of servitude is deeply rooted, with historical implications reflecting social status and family structure. The use of 仆 often evokes imagery of the past when servants played crucial roles in wealthy households.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 仆 with 僕, leading to misunderstandings. For instance, saying '我是一仆' (wǒ shì yī pū) instead of '我是一仆人' (wǒ shì yī púrén) may cause confusion, as the latter clearly states 'I am a servant'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 仆
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Grammar Patterns of 仆
仆 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 2 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
人们担心的是科学会成为工业的____人。
The fear is that science could become the handmaiden of industry.
Example Sentences for 仆 (10)
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1
人们担心的是科学会成为工业的仆人。
rén mén dān xīn de shì kē xué huì chéng wéi gōng yè de pū rén。
The fear is that science could become the handmaiden of industry.
2
几十个仆人迎合他所有稀奇古怪的念头。
jī shí gè pū rén yíng hé tā suǒ yǒu xī qí gǔ guài de niàn tóu。
Dozens of servants had catered to his every whim.
3
有很多仆人服侍她。
yǒu hěn duō pū rén fú shì tā。
There were plenty of servants to wait on her.
4
老仆人履行了其主人要他照料孩子的指示.
lǎo pū rén lǚ háng le qí zhǔ rén yào tā zhào liào hái zǐ de zhǐ shì.
The old servant fulfilled his master's charge to care for the children.
5
当我叫的时候,为何仆人没来?
dāng wǒ jiào de shí hòu, , wéi hé pū rén méi?
Why doesn't the servant come when I call?
6
他鸣铃叫仆人过来.
tā míng líng jiào pū rén guò lái.
He rang for the servant to come up.
7
由穿制服的男仆为客人倒茶。
yóu chuān zhì fú de nán pū wéi kè rén dǎo chá。
The tea was served to guests by liveried footmen.
8
我给他发了一份很长的传真，说我不需要女仆。
wǒ gěi tā fā le yī fèn hěn cháng de chuán zhēn， ， shuō wǒ bù xū yào nǚ。
I sent him a long fax, saying I didn't need a maid.
9
他挥手让仆人们退到帐篷外。
tā huī shǒu ràng pū rén mén tuì dào zhàng péng wài。
He waved the servants out of the tent.
10
有一名男仆为他们服务。
yǒu yī míng nán pū wéi tā mén fú wù。
They were waited on by a manservant.
Cultural Notes for 仆
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of servitude is deeply rooted, with historical implications reflecting social status and family structure. The use of 仆 often evokes imagery of the past when servants played crucial roles in wealthy households.
Word Family of 仆
Words Containing This Character13
仆人servant僕人
女仆drudge女僕
仆pūto fall forward
公仆gōngpúpublic servant公僕
风尘仆仆fig. travel-worn風塵僕僕
奴仆servant奴僕
前仆后继advancing wave upon wave前仆後繼
主仆master and servant主僕
仆役servant僕役
太仆Grand Servant in Imperial China, one of the Nine Ministers 九卿[jiǔqīng]太僕
僮仆boy servant僮僕
太仆寺旗Taibus banner in Xilin Gol league 錫林郭勒盟|锡林郭勒盟[Xīlínguōlèméng], Inner Mongolia太僕寺旗
更仆难数too many to count更僕難數
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 仆人 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 仆
仆 (pū) is a formal term for servant, while 僕 (pú) is more colloquial and can also imply a friend or buddy in certain contexts.
It's more appropriate in historical or literary contexts; in everyday speech, using terms like 服务员 (fúwùyuán) for 'waiter' or 'server' is more common.
It can imply a lower social status, but it is often used respectfully in historical narratives.
