unknown, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #30472, Very Hard
苞
bāo
luxuriant
unknown, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #30472, Very Hard
苞
bāo
profuse
unknown, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #30472, Very Hard
bāo(bao1) T1
1bud, flower; rush, reed; to bloom
2flower calyx
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March 24, 2026
苞bāo(bao1)
The character 苞 (bāo) primarily refers to a bud or flower, indicating the early stage of growth in plants. It can also describe the calyx, which is the protective outer layer of a flower. In broader contexts, it connotes lushness and profusion, often used in botanical or poetic descriptions.
Strokes8Radical艹Frequency#30472DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of blooming and buds is often tied to themes of growth and new beginnings, commonly referenced in poetry and art, especially during celebrations like Chinese New Year when flowers symbolize wealth and prosperity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big, green 'cup' (the radical '艹' signifies plants) holding a 'flower' (the character itself) ready to bloom. Think of the word 'bloom' which sounds like 'bāo' and connects to the idea of flowers opening up.
Meanings of 苞
bāo(bao1)
1bud, flower; rush, reed; to bloom
2flower calyx
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 苞
苞Simplified
8Strokes
艹Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 苞
Podcast: 苞
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AI Study Notes for 苞
Quick Contrast
苞 (bāo) vs 芽 (yá) — use 苞 for early growth stages like buds or protective layers, while 芽 refers specifically to sprouts or shoots.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a big, green 'cup' (the radical '艹' signifies plants) holding a 'flower' (the character itself) ready to bloom. Think of the word 'bloom' which sounds like 'bāo' and connects to the idea of flowers opening up.
Usage Notes
While 苞 can be used in both formal and informal settings, it is more commonly found in literary contexts or botanical discussions. A common mistake is to confuse it with 花 (huā), which strictly means 'flower'; remember that 苞 refers more to the bud or the protective casing rather than the flower itself.
HSK Study Tips
Though 苞 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with words related to plants and nature. Students should focus on recognizing its usage within botanical terms and phrases, as well as its pronunciation 'bāo' to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of blooming and buds is often tied to themes of growth and new beginnings, commonly referenced in poetry and art, especially during celebrations like Chinese New Year when flowers symbolize wealth and prosperity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 苞 with similar characters like 花 (huā) and use them interchangeably, saying '我看到一个苞' (Wǒ kàn dào yī gè bāo) when they mean 'I saw a flower.' The correct phrase should be '我看到一朵花' (Wǒ kàn dào yī duǒ huā).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 苞
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Grammar Patterns of 苞
苞 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
春已有了消息, 树枝上的鳞____已显着红肥.
Spring was in the air , the buds on the trees swelled pink.
Example Sentences for 苞 (4)
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1
春已有了消息, 树枝上的鳞苞已显着红肥.
chūn yǐ yǒu le xiāo xī, , shù zhī shàng de lín bāo yǐ xiǎn zháo hóng.
Spring was in the air , the buds on the trees swelled pink.
2
她像一朵含苞待放的花微笑着.
tā xiàng yī duǒ hán bāo dài fàng de huā wēi xiào zháo.
She was smiling like a bud flowering into bloom.
3
她发芽, 含苞, 春雨,夏风, 秋霜,冬雪.
tā fā yá, , hán, bāo ,, chūn yǔ, , xià, fēng ,.
She germination, bud, spring rain summer wind , akishimo, Dongxue.
In Chinese culture, the concept of blooming and buds is often tied to themes of growth and new beginnings, commonly referenced in poetry and art, especially during celebrations like Chinese New Year when flowers symbolize wealth and prosperity.
