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抱负 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
抱负bàofùaspirationHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, rank #14358, Very Hard
抱负bàofùambitionHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, rank #14358, Very Hard
bàofù(bao4fu4)bao fu T4
  1. 1aspiration
  2. 2ambition
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March 24, 2026

抱负(抱負)bàofù(bao4fu4)

抱负 (bàofù) refers to a strong aspiration or ambition to achieve something significant in life. It often implies a deep-seated desire for success or a goal that drives one’s actions, particularly in professional or academic contexts.

Strokes14Frequency#14358DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, having a strong 抱负 is often seen as a virtue, especially in the context of hard work and perseverance. It reflects the Confucian value of striving for personal improvement and societal contribution.

Memory Tip

Imagine holding a large, heavy '抱' (bào) in your arms, which represents your '负' (fù) – burdensome aspirations. You '抱' (hold) onto your dreams tightly, showing your ambition to achieve them. The sound 'bào' also rhymes with 'bow', suggesting you 'bow' down to your ambitions.

Meanings of 抱负

bàofù(bao4fu4)
1aspiration
2ambition
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 抱负

抱负Simplified
抱負Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#14358Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 抱负

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Podcast: 抱负

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AI Study Notes for 抱负

Quick Contrast

抱负 (bàofù) vs 理想 (lǐxiǎng) — use 抱负 for a strong ambition focused on achievement, while 理想 refers to an ideal or vision that may not always be tied to ambition.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 抱负, as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with similar sounding words. It is typically used in a formal context, often in discussions about career goals or personal development. Common collocations include '实现抱负' (to realize aspirations) and '追求抱负' (to pursue ambitions).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 抱负 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to personal goals and achievements. Students should focus on using it in sentences that reflect their own aspirations, enhancing their ability to express complex ideas.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 抱负 with similar words like 理想 (lǐxiǎng), which means 'ideal' but does not carry the same sense of ambition. For example, saying '我的理想是当医生' (My ideal is to become a doctor) is correct, but saying '我的抱负是当医生' can imply a stronger, more determined ambition.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 抱负

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Component Characters

抱bàoto hold
HSK 48 strokes扌
View full entry
负fùto bear
HSK 76 strokes贝
View full entry

How to say aspiration in Chinese

“aspiration” in Chinese is抱负bàofù

抱负 (bàofù) refers to a strong aspiration or ambition to achieve something significant in life. It often implies a deep-seated desire for success or a goal that drives one’s actions, particularly in professional or academic contexts.

When to use 抱负

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 抱负, as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with similar sounding words. It is typically used in a formal context, often in discussions about career goals or personal development. Common collocations include '实现抱负' (to realize aspirations) and '追求抱负' (to pursue ambitions).

抱负 or something close to it

抱负 (bàofù) vs 理想 (lǐxiǎng) — use 抱负 for a strong ambition focused on achievement, while 理想 refers to an ideal or vision that may not always be tied to ambition.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 抱负 with similar words like 理想 (lǐxiǎng), which means 'ideal' but does not carry the same sense of ambition. For example, saying '我的理想是当医生' (My ideal is to become a doctor) is correct, but saying '我的抱负是当医生' can imply a stronger, more determined ambition.

Write 抱负

抱
负

Practice writing 抱负 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 抱负

抱负 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 2 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 2

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不要让工作中的一点烦心事打击了你的雄心____。

Don't allow a minor irritation in the workplace to mar your ambitions.

Example Sentences for 抱负 (2)

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1
不要让工作中的一点烦心事打击了你的雄心抱负。

bù yào ràng gōng zuò zhōng de yī diǎn fán xīn shì dǎ jī le nǐ de xióng xīn bào fù。

Don't allow a minor irritation in the workplace to mar your ambitions.
2
之前年少时对理想抱负怀有的一腔热情很快便被现实浇灭。

zhī qián nián shǎo shí duì lǐ xiǎng bào fù huái yǒu de yī qiāng rè qíng hěn kuài biàn bèi xiàn shí jiāo miè。

The early ambitions of youthful enthusiasm soon become tempered with realism.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 抱负

You can say '我有很大的抱负' (I have great aspirations) to express your ambitions.

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