保卫
Traditional: 保衛
bǎo wèi HSK 6

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

士兵们保卫着国家的安全。
Shìbīng men bǎowèi zhe guójiā de ānquán.
Soldiers defend the country's security.
我们必须保卫自己的权利。
Wǒmen bìxū bǎowèi zìjǐ de quánlì.
We must guard our own rights.
警察保卫着重要的会议。
Jǐngchá bǎowèi zhe zhòngyào de huìyì.
Police are guarding the important meeting.
士兵保卫国家。
Shìbīng bǎowèi guójiā.
Soldiers defend the country.
警察保卫人民。
Jǐngchá bǎowèi rénmín.
Police protect the people.

💡 Memory Tip

Break down the characters: 保 (bǎo) means 'to protect' or 'to keep,' and 卫 (wèi) means 'to guard' or 'defend.' Think of it as 'protect-guard' to remember its meaning of active defense.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is formal and commonly used in written contexts, such as news, official documents, or speeches. It often appears in serious or patriotic contexts, like defending a country, rights, or important principles.

📖 Grammar Points

保卫 is a transitive verb and typically takes an object, such as 保卫国家 (defend the country). It can be used in various tenses with auxiliary verbs, e.g., 正在保卫 (is defending) or 必须保卫 (must defend).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 保卫 is often associated with patriotism and sacrifice, reflecting values of loyalty and duty to protect the nation and its people, as seen in historical and modern narratives.

🔄 Similar Words

保护 (bǎohù) also means 'to protect,' but it is more general and can be used in everyday situations (e.g., protecting the environment or a person). 保卫 implies a stronger, more defensive action against threats, often in military or national contexts.

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