保

• Pinyin: bǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 保 = 亻(person) + 呆 (stay, phonetic), meaning to protect or keep safe

Meaning

To protect; to keep; to guarantee. A core verb meaning to safeguard or ensure something.

Commonly appears as part of many important compounds: 保护 (protect), 保证 (guarantee), 保持 (maintain), 保险 (insurance). On its own, often used in informal speech meaning 'guarantee' or 'ensure.'

Examples

1. 这件事我保你没问题。 I guarantee you this will be no problem.
2. 穿暖一点，保你不会感冒。 Dress warmly, and I guarantee you won't catch a cold.
3. 我们一定要保质量。 We must ensure the quality.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, promises

Tone: reassuring

Do Say

• 这个方法保管有用。(This method is guaranteed to work.)
• 你放心，我保你满意。(Don't worry, I guarantee you'll be satisfied.)

Don't Say

• 保天气好 (Don't use 保 to guarantee things beyond anyone's control — use 希望 or 但愿 for weather and similar uncontrollable events)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character showing a person (亻) carrying a child (呆), conveying the meaning of protection and care.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal