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保护 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
保护
bǎohù
to protect
HSK 4, v, 16 strokes, rank #471, Medium
保护
bǎohù
to defend
HSK 4, v, 16 strokes, rank #471, Medium
保护
bǎohù
to safeguard
HSK 4, v, 16 strokes, rank #471, Medium
保护
bǎohù
protection
HSK 4, v, 16 strokes, rank #471, Medium
bǎohù(bao3hu4)bao hu T3
1to protect
2to defend
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March 24, 2026
保护(保護)bǎohù(bao3hu4)
The word 保护 (bǎo hù) means 'to protect' or 'to safeguard'. It is commonly used in contexts involving personal safety, environmental conservation, or defending rights. The nuance often implies a proactive effort to ensure safety or preservation.
Strokes16Frequency#471DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 保护 is deeply connected to Confucian values, where protecting family and community is paramount. This is evident in discussions about environmental protection, which have gained prominence in recent years.
Memory tip
Imagine a 'bao' (包) wrapping around something fragile to protect it, while 'hu' (护) sounds like 'who', as in 'who will protect this?'. Visualize a superhero ('hu') wrapping their cape ('bao') around someone in need of protection.
Be careful not to confuse 保护 with other similar verbs like 防止 (fáng zhǐ), which means 'to prevent'. 保护 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but it’s often used in legal or environmental discussions. Remember that the tone for 保护 is important; mispronouncing the tones can change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 保护 connects with other words related to safety and care, such as 照顾 (zhào gù, to take care of) and 安全 (ān quán, safety). Focus on practicing its usage in sentences that involve safety, care, and preservation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 保护 by substituting it with other similar verbs, such as using it incorrectly in contexts that require prevention rather than protection. For example, saying '我保护学生不迟到' should be corrected to '我防止学生迟到', meaning 'I prevent students from being late'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 保护
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The word 保护 (bǎo hù) means 'to protect' or 'to safeguard'. It is commonly used in contexts involving personal safety, environmental conservation, or defending rights. The nuance often implies a proactive effort to ensure safety or preservation.
When to use 保护
Be careful not to confuse 保护 with other similar verbs like 防止 (fáng zhǐ), which means 'to prevent'. 保护 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but it’s often used in legal or environmental discussions. Remember that the tone for 保护 is important; mispronouncing the tones can change its meaning.
Learners often misuse 保护 by substituting it with other similar verbs, such as using it incorrectly in contexts that require prevention rather than protection. For example, saying '我保护学生不迟到' should be corrected to '我防止学生迟到', meaning 'I prevent students from being late'.
Write 保护
保
护
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Grammar patterns of 保护
保护 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.
