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炮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
炮bāoto sautéHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮bāoto prepare herbal medicine by roasting or parching (in a pan)HSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮bāoto fryHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮bāocannonHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮bāoto dry by heatingHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮bāofirecrackerHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮bāocannon, artilleryHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮páoto sautéHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮páoto prepare herbal medicine by roasting or parching (in a pan)HSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮páoto fryHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮páocannonHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮páoto dry by heatingHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮páofirecrackerHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮páocannon, artilleryHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮pàoto sautéHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮pàoto prepare herbal medicine by roasting or parching (in a pan)HSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮pàoto fryHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮pàocannonHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮pàoto dry by heatingHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮pàofirecrackerHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
炮pàocannon, artilleryHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #6148, Very Hard
bāo(bao1)
primary
 T1
  1. 1to sauté
  2. 2to prepare herbal medicine by roasting or parching (in a pan)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

炮bāo(bao1)

The character '炮' (bāo) primarily refers to a cannon or artillery, but it also has culinary meanings related to frying or sautéing food. In herbal medicine, it signifies the process of roasting or parching herbs to prepare them for use. The word can be used in both military and culinary contexts, showcasing its versatility.

Strokes9Radical火Frequency#6148DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, roasting herbs ('炮制') is a significant practice believed to enhance their healing properties. This highlights the importance of preparation in both culinary and medicinal practices in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant cannon that looks like it's cooking food. The top of the cannon resembles a frying pan, where '炮' (bāo) symbolizes both the act of firing a cannon and frying ingredients. Visualize the loud bang of the cannon being similar to the sizzling sound of food frying in a pan.

Meanings of 炮

bāo(bao1)
primary
1to sauté
2to prepare herbal medicine by roasting or parching (in a pan)
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 炮

炮Simplified
9Strokes
火Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6148Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 炮

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Podcast: 炮

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AI Study Notes for 炮

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing '炮' as it can be confused with '泡' (pào) which means to soak. This word is used in both informal and formal settings, especially in military discussions or cooking contexts. Common collocations include '炮弹' (shell) and '火炮' (artillery).

HSK Study Tips

While '炮' is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with food-related words and military terms in higher levels. Students should focus on recognizing its multiple meanings and contexts, particularly in compound words.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '炮' with '泡' (pào), leading to incorrect meanings like saying '泡火' instead of '炮火' when referring to artillery fire. Remember, '炮' relates to cannon and cooking, while '泡' means to soak.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 炮

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Etymology of 炮

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

Phonosemantic compound. 火 represents the meaning and 包 represents the sound. Simplified form of 砲.

Memory Hint

fire

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 炮

Phonosemantic compound. 火 represents the meaning and 包 represents the sound. Simplified form of 砲.

  1. 1The meaning half火 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half包 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayfire
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 炮? 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 炮?

Decomposition of 炮

IDS Structure⿰火包
炮Full Character
=
火Huo3
left
包Bao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 炮?

How to say to sauté in Chinese

“to sauté” in Chinese is炮bāo

The character '炮' (bāo) primarily refers to a cannon or artillery, but it also has culinary meanings related to frying or sautéing food. In herbal medicine, it signifies the process of roasting or parching herbs to prepare them for use. The word can be used in both military and culinary contexts, showcasing its versatility.

When to use 炮

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing '炮' as it can be confused with '泡' (pào) which means to soak. This word is used in both informal and formal settings, especially in military discussions or cooking contexts. Common collocations include '炮弹' (shell) and '火炮' (artillery).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '炮' with '泡' (pào), leading to incorrect meanings like saying '泡火' instead of '炮火' when referring to artillery fire. Remember, '炮' relates to cannon and cooking, while '泡' means to soak.

Write 炮

炮

Practice writing 炮 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 炮

炮 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 7 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

城市已被猛烈的____火夷为平地。

The city has been flattened by heavy artillery bombardments.

Common Confusions with 炮

炮vs包
bāo

Similar shape but different meaning and usage.

炮vs泡
pào

Similar pronunciation but different meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to sauté"?

or

Example Sentences for 炮 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
城市已被猛烈的炮火夷为平地。

chéng shì yǐ bèi měng liè de páo huǒ yí wéi píng dì。

The city has been flattened by heavy artillery bombardments.
2
她因在百老汇出演了一部诺埃尔·科沃德的戏一炮而红。

tā yīn zài bǎi lǎo huì chū yǎn le yī bù nuò āi ěr· · kē wò dé de xì yī páo ér。

She shot to stardom on Broadway in a Noel Coward play.
3
3枚迫击炮弹落在人群旁。

3 3 méi pò jī páo dàn luò zài rén qún。

Three mortar shells had landed close to a crowd of people.
4
他们的部队在炮轰仅有7英里之遥的德军防线。

tā mén de bù duì zài páo hōng jǐn yǒu7 7 yīng lǐ zhī yáo de dé jūn fáng。

Their unit was shelling the German lines only seven miles away.
5
克劳利连珠炮似的对韦特骂个不停。

kè láo lì lián zhū páo sì de duì wéi tè mà gè bù tíng。

Crowley maintained a stream of invective and abuse against Waite.
6
广播上说首都的其他地区也遭到了炮火袭击。

guǎng bō shàng shuō shǒu dū de qí tā dì qū yě zāo dào le páo huǒ xí jī。

The radio said other parts of the capital also came under shellfire.
7
那些大炮中有些看起来有点老掉牙了。

nà xiē dà páo zhōng yǒu xiē kàn qǐ lái yǒu diǎn lǎo diào yá le。

Some of those artillery pieces look a little elderly.
8
敌军对该城发起连串炮轰。

dí jūn duì gāi chéng fā qǐ lián chuàn páo hōng。

Enemy forces lobbed a series of artillery shells onto the city.
9
他们看到船上的大炮在月光下熠熠生辉。

tā mén kàn dào chuán shàng de dà páo zài yuè guāng xià yì yì shēng huī。

They saw the ship's guns, catching the light of the moon.
10
这位乌拉圭出生的重炮手轰出了28记爱司球。

zhè wèi wū lā guī chū shēng de zhòng páo shǒu hōng chū le28 28 jì ài sī。

The Uruguayan-born big-hitter smashed 28 aces.

Word Family of 炮

Words Containing This Character20
炮bāocannon
炮弹artillery shell炮彈
大炮big gun大砲
鞭炮biānpàofirecrackers
迫击炮mortar (weapon)迫擊炮
火炮cannon
炮兵gunner
炮火gunfire
开炮to open fire開砲
炮轰to bombard炮轟
枪炮firearm槍砲
炮制to concoct炮製
炮击to shell炮擊
炮手gunner砲手
炮塔gun turret
炮灰cannon fodder
炮台fort砲臺
放鞭炮to set off firecrackers
高射炮anti-aircraft gun
马后炮mǎhòupàofig. belated action馬後炮
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 炮 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 炮

The difference lies in pronunciation and meaning; '炮' (bāo) refers to cannon or frying, while '炮' (pào) is used in contexts like to fire or launch.

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