补充

• Pinyin: bǔ chōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 补 = 衤(clothing) + 卜 (phonetic), meaning to mend; 充 = 亠 (lid) + 儿 (legs) + a dot, meaning to fill up

Meaning

To supplement; to add; to replenish. Refers to adding something that is lacking or incomplete.

Used for adding information to a discussion, replenishing supplies or nutrients, or supplementing something that is insufficient. Common in both daily and professional contexts. Can also be used as a noun meaning 'supplement.'

Examples

1. 我想补充一点，这个方案还有改进的空间。 I'd like to add that this plan still has room for improvement.
2. 运动后要及时补充水分。 You should replenish fluids promptly after exercise.
3. 老师让同学们补充更多的例子。 The teacher asked the students to add more examples.

Usage Guide

Context: discussion, health, work, everyday

Tone: constructive

Do Say

• 我再补充几句。(Let me add a few more points.)
• 你需要补充一些维生素。(You need to supplement some vitamins.)

Don't Say

• 补充这个坏了的杯子 (Don't use 补充 for physical repair of broken objects — use 修理 or 补. 补充 means to add what is missing, not to fix what is broken)

Origin & History

Compound of 补 (to mend, supplement) and 充 (to fill, sufficient), literally 'to mend and fill,' conveying the idea of making something complete.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal