保
Quick Answer
保 is a Chinese character with 9 strokes, radical 亻 (person), HSK 4 on the new exam.
Etymology
A person stays dumbfounded guarding — to protect
Mnemonic hooks the visual decomposition to a memorable image. The full oracle-bone to modern evolution is being added character-by-character via the Phase 13 etymology pass.
Decomposition
Breaking a character into its components makes it far easier to recall. Each component above links to its own detail page.
Basic info
| Stroke count | 9 strokes |
| Radical | 亻 (#9: person) |
| New HSK exam | Recognise at HSK 4, write by hand at HSK 4 |
| Frequency | #68 most common |
Example sentences
Words containing 保
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | HSK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 保护 | bǎohù | protect | HSK 4 |
| 保证 | bǎozhèng | ensure | HSK 4 |
| 保存 | bǎocún | Preservation | HSK 5 |
| 保留 | bǎoliú | Retain | HSK 5 |
| 保持 | bǎochí | keep | HSK 5 |
| 保险 | bǎoxiǎn | Insurance | HSK 5 |
| 保管 | bǎoguǎn | to take care of, to keep | HSK 6 |
| 保密 | bǎomì | to keep secret | HSK 7-9 |
| 保障 | bǎozhàng | to ensure, to guarantee | HSK 6 |
| 保姆 | bǎomǔ | nanny, housekeeper | HSK 7-9 |
| 保守 | bǎoshǒu | conservative | HSK 7-9 |
| 保卫 | bǎowèi | to defend, to safeguard | HSK 7-9 |
| 保鲜 | bǎoxiān | to keep fresh | HSK 7-9 |
| 保修 | bǎoxiū | to guarantee, warranty | HSK 6 |
| 保佑 | bǎoyòu | to bless and protect | HSK 7-9 |
| 保重 | bǎozhòng | to take care of oneself | HSK 7-9 |
| 担保 | dānbǎo | to guarantee, to vouch for | HSK 7-9 |
Related characters
Similar meaning (action)
On the new HSK 4 exam
Studying for HSK 4? Keep 保 with the rest of your level.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Appears in these articles
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.