保险
Traditional: 保險
bǎo xiǎn HSK 5

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

他买了汽车保险。
Tā mǎile qìchē bǎoxiǎn.
He bought car insurance.
保险可以保护你的财产。
Bǎoxiǎn kěyǐ bǎohù nǐ de cáichǎn.
Insurance can protect your property.
公司提供健康保险。
Gōngsī tígōng jiànkāng bǎoxiǎn.
The company provides health insurance.
我买了保险。
Wǒ mǎi le bǎoxiǎn.
I bought insurance.
保险很重要。
Bǎoxiǎn hěn zhòngyào.
Insurance is very important.

💡 Memory Tip

Break the characters: 保 (bǎo) means 'to protect' and 险 (xiǎn) means 'danger' or 'risk.' So, 保险 literally means 'protect against risk,' which is exactly what insurance does.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and used in both spoken and written Chinese across formal and informal contexts. Common contexts include discussing health, life, car, property, or travel insurance in personal, business, or legal settings.

📖 Grammar Points

Often used as an object in sentences (e.g., 买保险 - buy insurance) or as a modifier in noun phrases (e.g., 保险条款 - insurance terms). It can also be part of compound words like 保险箱 (safe deposit box).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In China, social insurance (社会保险) is mandatory for employees, covering pensions, medical care, etc., reflecting a strong emphasis on collective welfare. Private insurance has grown rapidly with economic development, but public understanding of insurance products can vary.

🔄 Similar Words

保障 (bǎozhàng) also means 'guarantee' or 'safeguard' but is broader, often referring to social or systemic protection (e.g., 社会保障 - social security), while 保险 specifically denotes the commercial or contractual insurance system.

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