Meanings of 保卫
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Podcast: 保卫
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AI study notes for 保卫
捍卫 (hànwèi) — use 保卫 for general defense and捍卫 for a more assertive or principled form of defense.
Be careful not to confuse 保卫 with other similar verbs like 保护 (bǎohù), which means 'to protect' but with a broader, less aggressive connotation. '保卫' is often used in formal contexts, especially related to security forces or military.
As an HSK Level 6 word, 保卫 connects with other verbs of action and protection, such as 保护 (bǎohù) and 捍卫 (hànwèi). Focus on using it in formal writing or discussions about security and defense.
Learners often mistakenly use 保卫 when discussing non-aggressive protection, leading to awkward phrasing. For example, saying '我保卫我的朋友' (I defend my friend) should be corrected to '我保护我的朋友' (I protect my friend).
Pronunciation of 保卫
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Component characters
How to say to defend in Chinese
“to defend” in Chinese is保卫
保卫 means 'to defend' or 'to safeguard.' It is commonly used in contexts relating to protecting a person, place, or idea from danger or harm. This verb often appears in discussions about national security, personal safety, and protecting rights.
When to use 保卫
Be careful not to confuse 保卫 with other similar verbs like 保护 (bǎohù), which means 'to protect' but with a broader, less aggressive connotation. '保卫' is often used in formal contexts, especially related to security forces or military.
保卫 or something close to it
捍卫 (hànwèi) — use 保卫 for general defense and捍卫 for a more assertive or principled form of defense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 保卫 when discussing non-aggressive protection, leading to awkward phrasing. For example, saying '我保卫我的朋友' (I defend my friend) should be corrected to '我保护我的朋友' (I protect my friend).
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Grammar patterns of 保卫
保卫 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.
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每个能够参加战斗的男子现在都决心要____这条山脊。
Every man who could fight was now committed to defend the ridge.
Example sentences for 保卫 (3)
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Frequently asked questions about 保卫
It's more commonly found in formal discussions or written contexts, such as news articles about security.
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