goods sent under the protection of an armed escort
unknown, 16 strokes, radical 钅, rank #9439, Hard
biāo(biao1) T1
1spear, harpoon, dart; to escort
2throwing weapon
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March 24, 2026
镖(鏢)biāo(biao1)
The character 镖 (biāo) primarily refers to a type of spear or throwing weapon, often used for hunting or combat. It also conveys the meaning of escorting goods, particularly in the context of transporting valuables under protection, a practice historically significant in Chinese commerce. This dual meaning highlights both the physical and metaphorical aspects of protection and security.
Strokes16Radical钅Frequency#9439DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The historical use of镖 in the context of transporting goods mirrors the ancient practice of '保镖' (bǎo biāo), where armed escorts were crucial for protecting merchants during perilous journeys, reflecting the importance of security in Chinese trade culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a shiny spear (the radical 钅 for metal) that not only pierces the air but also carries valuable goods safely. Picture a brave escort (the action of ‘biāo’ or ‘to escort’) holding this spear while leading a caravan through treacherous terrain, ensuring that nothing is lost or stolen.
Meanings of 镖
biāo(biao1)
1spear, harpoon, dart; to escort
2throwing weapon
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 镖
镖Simplified
鏢Traditional
16Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 镖
Podcast: 镖
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AI Study Notes for 镖
Quick Contrast
镖 (biāo, spear or escort) vs 矛 (máo, spear) — use 镖 when emphasizing the escorting aspect; use 矛 for the weapon itself.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a shiny spear (the radical 钅 for metal) that not only pierces the air but also carries valuable goods safely. Picture a brave escort (the action of ‘biāo’ or ‘to escort’) holding this spear while leading a caravan through treacherous terrain, ensuring that nothing is lost or stolen.
Usage Notes
镖 is often used in formal contexts related to security and transportation, especially in historical narratives or discussions about trade. Be cautious with tone; the second tone (biāo) must be pronounced correctly to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words. Common collocations include '护镖' (hù biāo, to escort goods) and '镖师' (biāo shī, escort or bodyguard).
HSK Study Tips
Although 镖 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects well with Level 3 and 4 vocabulary related to travel and trade. Students should focus on understanding the context of its use in sentences, especially with terms related to security and protection.
Cultural Note
The historical use of镖 in the context of transporting goods mirrors the ancient practice of '保镖' (bǎo biāo), where armed escorts were crucial for protecting merchants during perilous journeys, reflecting the importance of security in Chinese trade culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 镖 with similar-sounding characters like 标 (biāo), which means 'mark' or 'label.' To avoid this, remember that 镖 involves protection and escorting, while 标 is more about identification.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 镖
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Grammar Patterns of 镖
镖 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 3 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
他招手把另一姓罗的保____叫过来.
He beckoned a second bodyguard, Lou.
Example Sentences for 镖 (6)
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1
他招手把另一姓罗的保镖叫过来.
tā zhāo shǒu bǎ lìng yī xìng luó de bǎo biāo jiào guò lái.
He beckoned a second bodyguard, Lou.
2
马尔科夫身中毒镖而亡。
mǎ ěr kē fū shēn zhōng dú biāo ér wáng。
Markov died after being struck by a poison dart.
3
他显然指的是裘里斯 、 璐西 、 约翰呢-方檀和迈克尔的保镖亚伯特-奈里.
tā xiǎn rán zhǐ de shì qiú lǐ sī、 、 lù、 xī 、 yuē- hàn ne - fāng tán hé mài kè ěr de bǎo biāo- yà bó.
He obviously meant Jules, Lucy, Johnny Fontane and Michael's bodyguard, Albert Neri.
But jokes and bantering aside , the guards still took their jobs seriously.
Cultural Notes for 镖
🏮Cultural insight
The historical use of镖 in the context of transporting goods mirrors the ancient practice of '保镖' (bǎo biāo), where armed escorts were crucial for protecting merchants during perilous journeys, reflecting the importance of security in Chinese trade culture.
Word Family of 镖
Words Containing This Character5
保镖bodyguard保鏢
镖biāodart鏢
飞镖darts (game)飛鏢
镖客armed escort (of travelers or merchants' caravans)鏢客
梭镖spear梭鏢
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 保镖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 镖
While both refer to weapons, 矛 specifically means 'spear' in a general sense, whereas 镖 has a stronger association with escorting and protecting goods.
Yes, 镖 is still relevant in discussions about security services and logistics, especially in historical or cultural contexts.
镖 is more commonly encountered in written Chinese, particularly in literature and historical texts, than in everyday spoken language.
