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薄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
薄bóthinHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bócold in mannerHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bómeagerHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bóindifferentHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bóslightHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bóweakHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bólightHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bóungenerous or unkindHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bóinfertileHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bófrivolousHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bóthin, slight; meager, weak; poor, stingyHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bóto despiseHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bóto belittleHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bóto look down onHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bóto approach or nearHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bósurname BoHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báothinHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báocold in mannerHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báomeagerHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báoindifferentHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báoslightHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báoweakHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báolightHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báoungenerous or unkindHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báoinfertileHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báofrivolousHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báothin, slight; meager, weak; poor, stingyHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báoto despiseHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báoto belittleHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báoto look down onHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báoto approach or nearHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄báosurname BoHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòthinHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòcold in mannerHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòmeagerHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòindifferentHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòslightHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòweakHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòlightHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòungenerous or unkindHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòinfertileHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòfrivolousHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòthin, slight; meager, weak; poor, stingyHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòto despiseHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòto belittleHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòto look down onHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòto approach or nearHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
薄bòsurname BoHSK 5, a, 16 strokes, radical 艹, rank #5281, Hard
báo(bao2)
primary
 T2
  1. 1thin
  2. 2cold in manner
Also a Chinese surname, Bo — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

薄báo(bao2)

The character 薄 (báo) primarily means 'thin' and can also convey meanings such as 'cold in manner' or 'meager.' It is commonly used to describe physical attributes, emotional states, or the quality of interactions, often implying a lack of depth or warmth. In contexts like food or objects, it suggests a lightweight or superficial nature.

Strokes16Radical艹Frequency#5281DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, being described as 薄情 (báo qíng) can have a negative connotation, suggesting someone who is emotionally detached or unkind, which is generally frowned upon in social interactions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a thin layer of frost covering a surface, representing the coldness associated with 薄 (báo). The character's left part, 艹 (cǎo), symbolizes grass or plants, while the right part, 博 (bó), relates to depth—here, it contrasts with thinness, helping you remember that 薄 means something lacking substance.

Meanings of 薄

báo(bao2)
primary
1thin
2cold in manner
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 薄

薄Simplified
16Strokes
艹Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#5281Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 薄

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Podcast: 薄

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 薄

Quick Contrast

薄 (báo, thin) vs 细 (xì, fine) — use 薄 for describing something that is thin in thickness, while 细 emphasizes fineness or delicacy in texture.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 薄 with 厚 (hòu), which means 'thick.' It's essential to use 薄 in contexts where 'thin' or 'slight' is intended. The tone is also crucial; ensure you pronounce it as báo, not bò, to avoid confusion with other meanings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 薄 connects well with other adjectives describing qualities, such as 厚 (thick) or 轻 (light). Focus on using it in comparisons, such as 薄的书 (a thin book) or 薄情 (cold-hearted), to enhance your descriptive vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly pronounce 薄 as bò, which changes its meaning entirely. Ensure you use the correct tone, báo, especially in phrases like 薄情 (báo qíng) to convey the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 薄

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Etymology of 薄

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

Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 溥 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

grass

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 薄

Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 溥 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half艹 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half溥 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaygrass
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 薄? 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 薄?

Decomposition of 薄

IDS Structure⿱艹溥
薄Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
溥Pu3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 薄?

How to say thin in Chinese

“thin” in Chinese is薄bó

The character 薄 (báo) primarily means 'thin' and can also convey meanings such as 'cold in manner' or 'meager.' It is commonly used to describe physical attributes, emotional states, or the quality of interactions, often implying a lack of depth or warmth. In contexts like food or objects, it suggests a lightweight or superficial nature.

When to use 薄

Learners often confuse 薄 with 厚 (hòu), which means 'thick.' It's essential to use 薄 in contexts where 'thin' or 'slight' is intended. The tone is also crucial; ensure you pronounce it as báo, not bò, to avoid confusion with other meanings.

薄 or something close to it

薄 (báo, thin) vs 细 (xì, fine) — use 薄 for describing something that is thin in thickness, while 细 emphasizes fineness or delicacy in texture.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly pronounce 薄 as bò, which changes its meaning entirely. Ensure you use the correct tone, báo, especially in phrases like 薄情 (báo qíng) to convey the intended meaning.

Write 薄

薄

Practice writing 薄 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 薄

薄 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 16 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

This pattern emphasizes the action or state of being related to the subject.

这件衣服是薄的。

Zhè jiàn yīfú shì báo de.

This piece of clothing is thin.

Exercise 1 of 1

Build the Sentence

This piece of clothing is thin.

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Common Confusions with 薄

薄vs剥
bāo

Similar sound but different meanings.

薄vs博
bó

Similar pronunciation but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "thin"?

or

Usage Notes for 薄

Confusing 薄 with other adjectivesCommon Error

Learners may confuse 薄 with words like 瘦 (shòu, thin in terms of body) or 轻 (qīng, light in weight).

1

这块布很薄，不是很轻。

This piece of cloth is thin, but not very light.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

这块布很____，不是很轻。

This piece of cloth is thin, but not very light.

Example Sentences for 薄 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这几堵墙非常薄，你能够听到发生的一切。

zhè jī dǔ qiáng fēi cháng báo， ， nǐ néng gòu tīng dào fā shēng de yī。

The walls are paper thin; you can hear everything that goes on.
2
你看到年轻人在这种天气里衣衫单薄地去上学。

nǐ kàn dào nián qīng rén zài zhè zhǒng tiān qì lǐ yī shān dān báo dì qù shàng xué。

You see young people going to school inadequately dressed for the weather.
3
她是伦敦著名的“薄荷犀牛”夜总会的钢管舞舞者。

tā shì lún dūn zhù míng de“ “ báo hé xī” niú ” yè zǒng huì de gāng guǎn wǔ。

She is a pole dancer at London's famous Spearmint Rhino club.
4
她用薄薄的黑色织物裹住了自己硕大的身躯。

tā yòng báo báo de hēi sè zhī wù guǒ zhù le zì jǐ shuò dà de shēn qū。

She swathed her enormous body in thin black fabrics.
5
厨师的薄唇一弯，露出一丝不易察觉的微笑。

chú shī de báo chún yī wān， ， lòu chū yī sī bù yì chá jué de wēi。

A small, unobtrusive smile curved the cook's thin lips.
6
他为人刻薄、难相处是出了名的。

tā wéi rén kè báo、 、 nán xiāng chǔ shì chū le míng。

He had a reputation for being bloody-minded and difficult.
7
他对女朋友一直非常刻薄。

tā duì nǚ péng yǒu yī zhí fēi cháng kè báo。

He had been behaving very meanly to his girlfriend.
8
他靠用货车卖薄饼勉强度日。

tā kào yòng huò chē mài báo bǐng miǎn qiáng dù rì。

He made a living of sorts selling pancakes from a van.
9
空气稀薄清新，其间日光蒙眬，寒气逼人。

kōng qì xī báo qīng xīn， ， qí jiān rì guāng mēng， lóng ， hán qì。

The air was thin and crisp, filled with hazy sunshine and frost.
10
许多人认为承认有压力是意志薄弱的表现。

xǔ duō rén rèn wéi chéng rèn yǒu yā lì shì yì zhì báo ruò de biǎo xiàn。

Many people felt that admitting to stress was a sign of weakness.
11
薄先生是我们公司的总经理，他的领导能力非常出色。

Bó xiānshēng shì wǒmen gōngsī de zǒng jīnglǐ, tā de lǐngdǎo nénglì fēicháng chūsè.

Mr. Bo is the general manager of our company, and his leadership skills are outstanding.
12
薄女士在学术界享有很高的声誉，她发表了许多重要的论文。

Bó nǚshì zài xuéshù jiè xiǎngyǒu hěn gāo de shēngyù, tā fābiǎo le xǔduō zhòngyào de lùnwén.

Ms. Bo is highly esteemed in the academic world and has published many important papers.
13
薄教授在国际会议上发表了一篇重要的演讲。

Bó jiàoshòu zài guójì huìyì shàng fābiǎo le yī piān zhòngyào de yǎnjiǎng.

Professor Bo delivered an important speech at the international conference.
14
薄博士的研究成果获得了国家的认可。

Bó bóshì de yánjiū chéngguǒ huòdé le guójiā de rènkě.

Dr. Bo's research achievements have been recognized by the state.
15
薄家的历史可以追溯到明朝时期。

Bó jiā de lìshǐ kěyǐ zhuīsù dào Míngcháo shíqī.

The history of the Bo family can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty.
16
薄氏家族在当地是一股不可忽视的力量。

Bó shì jiāzú zài dāngdì shì yī gǔ bùkě hūshì de lìliàng.

The Bo family is an influential force in the local area.

Word Family of 薄

Compounds3
礴bo2to extend, to fill
欂
鑮
Words Containing This Character20
薄báomeager
刻薄unkind
薄荷field mint
微薄scanty
薄弱bóruòweak
薄饼pancake薄餅
薄膜membrane
轻薄frivolous輕薄
浅薄superficial淺薄
单薄dānbóweak單薄
薄弱环节weak link薄弱環節
稀薄thin
淡薄thin
薄片thin slice
如履薄冰fig. to be extremely cautious
薄熙来Bo Xilai (1949-), PRC politician, appointed to the Politburo in 2007, sentenced in 2013 to life imprisonment for corruption and misconduct薄熙來
薄雾mist薄霧
薄一波Bo Yibo (1908-2007), ranking PRC politician, served on State Council from 1950s to 1980s as colleague of Deng Xiaoping
薄板sheet
妄自菲薄to be unduly humble (idiom)
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 礴 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 薄

Common phrases include 薄情 (báo qíng) meaning 'cold-hearted' and 薄荷 (bò he) which means 'mint.'

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