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爆发 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
爆发
bàofā
to break out
HSK 6, v, 24 strokes, rank #3465, Hard
爆发
bàofā
to erupt
HSK 6, v, 24 strokes, rank #3465, Hard
爆发
bàofā
to explode
HSK 6, v, 24 strokes, rank #3465, Hard
爆发
bàofā
to burst out
HSK 6, v, 24 strokes, rank #3465, Hard
bàofā(bao4fa1)bao fa T4
1to break out
2to erupt
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March 24, 2026
爆发(爆發)bàofā(bao4fa1)
The term 爆发 (bàofā) refers to a sudden and intense release of energy or emotion, often used in contexts such as natural disasters (like volcanoes or earthquakes) or intense emotional reactions. It conveys a sense of abruptness and intensity, indicating that something has reached a critical point before erupting or breaking out.
Strokes24Frequency#3465DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 爆发 is often linked to both natural disasters and social movements, reflecting the dynamics of societal change. For example, the term can describe the eruption of public protests or unrest, highlighting the emotional buildup in the community.
Memory tip
Imagine a volcano ready to erupt. The character 爆 (bào) looks like a volcano with the radical 父 (father) standing tall, symbolizing its authority to explode, while 发 (fā) resembles a burst of flames. Together, they evoke the image of a fierce explosion.
Meanings of 爆发
bàofā(bao4fa1)
1to break out
2to erupt
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 爆发
爆发Simplified
爆發Traditional
24Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3465Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 爆发
Podcast: 爆发
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AI study notes for 爆发
Quick Contrast
喷发 (pēnfā) - use 爆发 for sudden, intense releases with a sense of critical buildup, while 喷发 typically refers to the act of spewing out, often in a more controlled manner.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 爆发 with similar verbs like 发生 (fāshēng), which means 'to happen.' 爆发 is generally used in more dramatic contexts and is often associated with emergencies or strong emotions. It is important to use this term in appropriate situations to convey the intensity intended.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 爆发 connects to other vocabulary related to emotions, crises, or natural phenomena. Students should focus on using it in sentences that reflect sudden occurrences and practice pairing it with adjectives to enhance their descriptive language.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 爆发 in casual contexts where a less intense word would suffice, such as saying '我爆发了' (I exploded) to describe minor annoyance. A better phrase in such cases would be '我生气了' (I am angry).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 爆发
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The term 爆发 (bàofā) refers to a sudden and intense release of energy or emotion, often used in contexts such as natural disasters (like volcanoes or earthquakes) or intense emotional reactions. It conveys a sense of abruptness and intensity, indicating that something has reached a critical point before erupting or breaking out.
When to use 爆发
Be careful not to confuse 爆发 with similar verbs like 发生 (fāshēng), which means 'to happen.' 爆发 is generally used in more dramatic contexts and is often associated with emergencies or strong emotions. It is important to use this term in appropriate situations to convey the intensity intended.
爆发 or something close to it
喷发 (pēnfā) - use 爆发 for sudden, intense releases with a sense of critical buildup, while 喷发 typically refers to the act of spewing out, often in a more controlled manner.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 爆发 in casual contexts where a less intense word would suffice, such as saying '我爆发了' (I exploded) to describe minor annoyance. A better phrase in such cases would be '我生气了' (I am angry).
Write 爆发
爆
发
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Grammar patterns of 爆发
爆发 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
战争____时，他作为敌国人士遭到关押。
When war broke out, he was interned as an enemy alien.
