包袱

• Pinyin: bāo fu
• Hanzi breakdown: 包 = to wrap/bag; 袱 = 衤(clothing) + 伏 (phonetic)

Meaning

Bundle; burden; baggage (literal and figurative); punchline (in comedy).

Originally a cloth bundle carried on one's back. Now commonly used figuratively for mental/emotional burdens. In comedy and crosstalk, refers to a joke's setup and punchline.

Examples

1. 放下思想包袱，轻装上阵。 Let go of your mental baggage and go into battle unburdened.
2. 相声演员抖包袱的时机把握得很好。 The crosstalk performer timed the punchline perfectly.
3. 她背负着太多家庭的包袱，活得很累。 She carries too much family baggage and lives exhaustingly.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, comedy

Tone: varied

Do Say

• 别给自己太多包袱。(Don't burden yourself too much.)
• 这个包袱抖得好！(That punchline landed well!)

Don't Say

• 把正常的责任感说成'包袱' (Don't call normal responsibilities 包袱 unless they feel genuinely burdensome)

Origin & History

包 (to wrap) + 袱 (cloth wrapper). A wrapped bundle, extended to mean burdens.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal