Meaning of 包
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to cover
- to wrap
- to hold
- to include
- to take charge of
- to contract (to or for)
- package
- wrapper
Measure word: 個|个,隻|只
- surname Bao
How to use 包
包 (bāo) works as a noun for bags and packages, as a measure word for packs of things, and as a verb meaning to wrap or to include. It appears in many everyday words like 书包 (shūbāo) schoolbag and 钱包 (qiánbāo) wallet. Example: 我买了一包茶。(Wǒ mǎi le yì bāo chá.) I bought a pack of tea.
Picture the outer stroke 勹 as an arm curving around to wrap something, with 巳 tucked safely inside. Something wrapped up inside a cover is a 包 (bāo), a package or bag.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 包 with 抱 (bào, to hug) and 饱 (bǎo, full after eating), which share the same sound part but differ in tone and meaning. Check the radical: 扌 for hugging with hands, 饣 for food, and plain 包 for wrapping.
包 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
包 bāo · to cover · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 包.
| 面包 | miànbāo | bread |
| 钱包 | qiánbāo | purse; wallet |
| 包子 | bāozi | baozi; bao (steamed stuffed bun) |
| 书包 | shūbāo | schoolbag; satchel |
| 皮包 | píbāo | handbag; briefcase |
| 包括 | bāokuò | to comprise; to include |
| 包裹 | bāoguǒ | to wrap up; to bind up |
| 包含 | bāohán | to contain; to embody |
| 红包 | hóngbāo | money wrapped in red as a gift; bonus payment |
| 包围 | bāowéi | to surround; to encircle; to hem in |
| 打包 | dǎbāo | to wrap; to pack; to put leftovers in a doggy bag for take-out |
| 背包 | bēibāo | knapsack; rucksack |
Questions about 包
What does 包 mean?
包 (bāo) means "to cover; to wrap" and is used as a noun, measure word and verb.
How do you write 包?
包 is made of 1 character: 包 (5 strokes). That is 5 strokes in total.
Is 包 an HSK word?
Yes. 包 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 包 and 包子?
包 (bāo) on its own means a bag, package, or to wrap. 包子 (bāozi) specifically means a steamed stuffed bun, so say 包子 when ordering food.
How do you use 包 as a measure word?
Use 包 for things that come in packs or packets, such as 一包烟 (yì bāo yān) a pack of cigarettes or 一包糖 (yì bāo táng) a bag of candy. Put a number before it and the item after it.