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March 24, 2026
保管bǎoguǎn(bao3guan3)
保管 (bǎoguǎn) means to take care of or safeguard something, often implying a responsibility for its safety and condition. It can be used in contexts where one is entrusted with items, such as personal belongings or valuable objects, and conveys a sense of assurance that the items will be well looked after.
Strokes23Frequency#5631DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 保管 reflects the importance placed on trust and responsibility within relationships, whether for personal belongings or community resources. This is often seen in the traditional practice of entrusting valuable items to close friends or family.
Memory Tip
Think of 保 (bǎo) as 'to protect' and 管 (guǎn) as 'to manage' or 'to care for.' Picture a guardian holding a precious item while assuring everyone, 'I will safeguard this!' The character 保 resembles a roof over a person, symbolizing protection, while 管 looks like a pipe, suggesting the flow of care.
Meanings of 保管
bǎoguǎn(bao3guan3)
1to assure
2to guarantee
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 保管
保管Simplified
23Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5631Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 保管
Podcast: 保管
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AI Study Notes for 保管
Quick Contrast
保留 (bǎoliú) means to keep or retain something, focusing on preservation rather than the responsibility for its safety, while 保管 emphasizes safeguarding and care.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 保管 with other similar terms like 保存 (bǎocún), which means to preserve or store. 保管 is generally more informal, while 保存 may be used in more formal contexts. Common collocations include '保管箱' (safety deposit box) or '保管费' (safekeeping fee).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 保管 relates to themes of responsibility and assurance, linking with other words like 负责 (fùzé, to be responsible for) and 确保 (quèbǎo, to ensure). Focus on using it in sentences that discuss obligations or care for items.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 保管 with 保护 (bǎohù, to protect), using it inappropriately. For instance, saying '我保管这个秘密' (I safeguard this secret) is incorrect; the correct term would be '我保护这个秘密.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 保管
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保管 (bǎoguǎn) means to take care of or safeguard something, often implying a responsibility for its safety and condition. It can be used in contexts where one is entrusted with items, such as personal belongings or valuable objects, and conveys a sense of assurance that the items will be well looked after.
When to use 保管
Be careful not to confuse 保管 with other similar terms like 保存 (bǎocún), which means to preserve or store. 保管 is generally more informal, while 保存 may be used in more formal contexts. Common collocations include '保管箱' (safety deposit box) or '保管费' (safekeeping fee).
保管 or something close to it
保留 (bǎoliú) means to keep or retain something, focusing on preservation rather than the responsibility for its safety, while 保管 emphasizes safeguarding and care.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 保管 with 保护 (bǎohù, to protect), using it inappropriately. For instance, saying '我保管这个秘密' (I safeguard this secret) is incorrect; the correct term would be '我保护这个秘密.'
Write 保管
保
管
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Grammar Patterns of 保管
保管 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 10 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
你得学会____好自己的财物。
You have to learn to take care of your possessions.
Example Sentences for 保管 (3)
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1
你得学会保管好自己的财物。
nǐ dé xué huì bǎo guǎn hǎo zì jǐ de cái wù。
You have to learn to take care of your possessions.
