保 bǎo — to defend; to protect; to insure or guarantee; to maintain; hold or keep; to guard
多喝水可以保护嗓子。Duō hē shuǐ kě yǐ bǎo hù sǎng zi.Drinking more water can protect your throat.
Common words: 保护 (bǎo hù)、保证 (bǎo zhèng)、保持 (bǎo chí)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "hold"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "hold", including 保 (bǎo), 仓 (cāng), 捧 (pěng). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "hold" covers 3 different Chinese characters — 保 (bǎo), 仓 (cāng), 捧 (pěng) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 3 characters do not share a sound — their readings span bǎo, cāng, pěng — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 保 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 保 bǎoto defend; to protect; to insure or guarantee; to maintain; hold or keep; to guardUseful words: 保护, 保证
- 仓 cāngbarn; granary; storehouse; cabin; hold (in ship)Useful words: 仓库, 仓促
- 捧 pěnghold or offer with both handsUseful words: 吹捧, 捧场
Common words for these 3 "hold" characters
Anchor each of these 3 characters in a word you can picture — start with 保 (bǎo) — so "hold" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
保护bǎo hùto protect; to defend; to safeguard; protection保证bǎo zhèngguarantee; to guarantee; to ensure; to safeguard保持bǎo chíto keep; to maintain; to hold; to preserve仓库cāng kùdepot; storehouse; warehouse仓促cāng cùall of a sudden; hurriedly长仓cháng cānglong position (finance)吹捧chuī pěngto flatter; to laud sb's accomplishments; adulation捧场pěng chǎngto show one's support for a performer or theatrical troupe etc by attending their show; to attend an event to cheer on the participants; to patronize a restaurant or store; to sing the praises of捧花pěng huā(wedding) bouquet
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 3 ways to say "hold".
仓 cāng — barn; granary; storehouse; cabin; hold (in ship)
农民把收获的粮食存进了粮仓。Nóng mín bǎ shōu huò de liáng shi cún jìn le liáng cāng.The farmers stored the harvested grain in the granary.
Common words: 仓库 (cāng kù)、仓促 (cāng cù)、长仓 (cháng cāng)
捧 pěng — hold or offer with both hands
他双手捧着一杯热茶，慢慢地喝着。Tā shuāng shǒu pěng zhe yì bēi rè chá, màn màn de hē zhe.He held a cup of hot tea in both hands, sipping slowly.
Common words: 吹捧 (chuī pěng)、捧场 (pěng chǎng)、捧花 (pěng huā)
All 3 characters
Open 保、仓、捧 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.