Learn Chinese Characters

Meaning

to cover; to wrap; to hold; to include; to take charge of; package

Chinese: 包裹、包含、承担或包子。

Hear the Four Tones

The same syllable “bao” becomes a different word in each tone. 包 is the 1st tone. Tap any tone to hear a native voice and see its pitch shape.

Stroke Order

Tap Animate to watch the strokes in order, or Practice to trace it yourself.

Common Words

  • 面包miàn bāobread
  • 钱包qián bāopurse; wallet
  • 书包shū bāoschoolbag; satchel; bookbag
  • 包子bāo zibaozi; bao (steamed stuffed bun)
  • 皮包pí bāohandbag; briefcase

Example Sentence

妈妈包的饺子真好吃。Mā ma bāo de jiǎo zi zhēn hǎo chī.The dumplings Mom wrapped are really delicious.

妈妈Mā mamamabāoto coverdeof饺子jiǎo zidumplingzhēnreally好吃hǎo chītasty

Go deeper

Where this character comes from

A pictograph of a fetus (巳) wrapped in the womb (勹): to enwrap — ‘to wrap, bundle up; a package, bag, bundle; to surround; to include, contain; to undertake, guarantee; to hire/charter; a bun (包子)’ (书包, 包括, 面包).

A way to remember it

Something wrapped up — a bag; to include (包括).