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保鲜 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
保鲜bǎoxiānto keep fresh; to preserve freshnessHSK 7, v, 23 strokes, rank #21730, Very Hard
bǎoxiān(bao3xian1)bao xian T3
  1. 1to keep fresh; to preserve freshness
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March 24, 2026

保鲜bǎoxiān(bao3xian1)

保鲜 (bǎo xiān) refers to the process of keeping food fresh and preventing spoilage. Commonly used in contexts related to food preservation techniques, such as refrigeration or vacuum sealing. It embodies the idea of extending the shelf life of perishable items.

Strokes23Frequency#21730DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, food preservation is crucial, especially in rural areas where fresh produce might not be readily available year-round. Traditional methods like pickling and drying are often linked to the concept of 保鲜.

Memory tip

Think of '保' (bǎo) as 'protect' and '鲜' (xiān) as 'fresh.' Imagine a shield guarding fresh fruits and vegetables from decay, ensuring they stay vibrant and appealing.

Meanings of 保鲜

bǎoxiān(bao3xian1)
1to keep fresh; to preserve freshness
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About 保鲜

保鲜Simplified
23Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 保鲜

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Podcast: 保鲜

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AI study notes for 保鲜

Quick Contrast

保鲜 (bǎo xiān) vs 保存 (bǎo cún) — use 保鲜 specifically for keeping food fresh, while 保存 covers broader preservation, including objects and documents.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of using 保鲜 in contexts specifically related to food, as it may not apply to non-perishable items. This term is often used in both formal and informal settings, especially in cooking shows or food packaging discussions. Avoid confusion with similar terms that refer to freshness in other contexts.

HSK Study Tips

While 保鲜 is not an HSK level word, it connects with HSK vocabulary related to food and cooking. Focus on understanding related terms like 新鲜 (xīnxiān, fresh) and 食物 (shíwù, food) to build a broader culinary vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 保鲜 with 保持 (bǎochí, to keep), which has a broader meaning. For example, saying '我想保持水果的新鲜' is incorrect; instead, say '我想保鲜水果' to focus on food preservation.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 保鲜

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Component characters

保bǎoto defend
HSK 59 strokes亻
View full entry
鲜xiānfew
HSK 414 strokes鱼
View full entry

How to say to keep fresh; to preserve freshness in Chinese

“to keep fresh; to preserve freshness” in Chinese is保鲜bǎoxiān

保鲜 (bǎo xiān) refers to the process of keeping food fresh and preventing spoilage. Commonly used in contexts related to food preservation techniques, such as refrigeration or vacuum sealing. It embodies the idea of extending the shelf life of perishable items.

When to use 保鲜

Be mindful of using 保鲜 in contexts specifically related to food, as it may not apply to non-perishable items. This term is often used in both formal and informal settings, especially in cooking shows or food packaging discussions. Avoid confusion with similar terms that refer to freshness in other contexts.

保鲜 or something close to it

保鲜 (bǎo xiān) vs 保存 (bǎo cún) — use 保鲜 specifically for keeping food fresh, while 保存 covers broader preservation, including objects and documents.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 保鲜 with 保持 (bǎochí, to keep), which has a broader meaning. For example, saying '我想保持水果的新鲜' is incorrect; instead, say '我想保鲜水果' to focus on food preservation.

Write 保鲜

保
鲜

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Frequently asked questions about 保鲜

You can say, '这道菜需要保鲜,以保持新鲜感。' (This dish needs to be preserved to maintain its freshness.)

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