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March 24, 2026
保守bǎoshǒu(bao3shou3)
保守 (bǎoshǒu) primarily means to guard or keep something safe, often used in contexts like preserving traditions or values. It can also refer to a conservative attitude, implying resistance to change or innovation in social or political matters.
Strokes15Frequency#2974DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 保守 is often viewed as a virtue, especially in family and societal contexts, where preserving traditions is highly valued. This contrasts with the more change-oriented attitudes seen in many Western societies.
Memory Tip
Imagine a guardian (保) standing under a protective roof (守), ensuring that nothing changes in the environment around them. This guardian is 'keeping' things as they are, which helps you remember that 保守 means to guard or be conservative.
Meanings of 保守
bǎoshǒu(bao3shou3)
1conservative
2to guard
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 保守
保守Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2974Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 保守
Podcast: 保守
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AI Study Notes for 保守
Quick Contrast
保守 (bǎoshǒu) vs 传统 (chuántǒng) — use 保守 when emphasizing a conservative attitude or resistance to change, while 传统 focuses on the concept of tradition itself.
Usage Notes
In informal settings, 保守 can describe someone's attitude toward change, while in formal contexts, it may refer to political conservatism. Common collocations include 保守的态度 (conservative attitude) and 保守秘密 (keep a secret). Be cautious with the tone; a mispronunciation could lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 6, students should focus on using 保守 in both social and political contexts. It connects well with other vocabulary related to opinions and attitudes, like 传统 (tradition) and 改革 (reform), helping to deepen understanding of social discussions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 保守 with 保持 (bǎochí), which means 'to maintain' rather than 'to guard.' For example, saying '我保持传统' (I maintain tradition) instead of '我保守传统' (I guard/traditionally hold onto tradition) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 保守
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保守 (bǎoshǒu) primarily means to guard or keep something safe, often used in contexts like preserving traditions or values. It can also refer to a conservative attitude, implying resistance to change or innovation in social or political matters.
When to use 保守
In informal settings, 保守 can describe someone's attitude toward change, while in formal contexts, it may refer to political conservatism. Common collocations include 保守的态度 (conservative attitude) and 保守秘密 (keep a secret). Be cautious with the tone; a mispronunciation could lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.
保守 or something close to it
保守 (bǎoshǒu) vs 传统 (chuántǒng) — use 保守 when emphasizing a conservative attitude or resistance to change, while 传统 focuses on the concept of tradition itself.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 保守 with 保持 (bǎochí), which means 'to maintain' rather than 'to guard.' For example, saying '我保持传统' (I maintain tradition) instead of '我保守传统' (I guard/traditionally hold onto tradition) is incorrect.
Write 保守
保
守
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Grammar Patterns of 保守
保守 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 3 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
别担心，佩林先生，我会____你的秘密。
Don'tworry, Mr Palin, your secret is safe with me.
