报酬

• Pinyin: bào chou
• Hanzi breakdown: 报 = 扌 (hand) + 卩 (kneeling person) phonetic; 酬 = 酉 (wine vessel) + 州 (phonetic)

Meaning

Remuneration; reward; compensation; payment for services.

Payment or reward given in return for work or services rendered. Can refer to monetary compensation or other forms of reward. More formal than 工资 (salary) and often used for professional services or special tasks.

Examples

1. 这份工作报酬丰厚，但需要经常出差。 This job offers generous compensation, but it requires frequent business travel.
2. 她帮了大忙，我想给她一些报酬表示感谢。 She was a huge help, and I want to give her some compensation to show my gratitude.
3. 志愿者不求任何报酬，只希望能帮助他人。 Volunteers don't ask for any reward — they just want to help others.

Usage Guide

Context: business, employment, services

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 请问报酬怎么算？(How is the compensation calculated?)
• 这份报酬和付出不成正比。(This pay doesn't match the effort required.)

Don't Say

• 对朋友帮忙说'给你报酬' (Don't offer 报酬 to friends for casual help — it sounds too transactional; use 请你吃饭 instead)

Origin & History

报 (to repay) + 酬 (to reward/toast). To repay with reward.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal