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博 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
博bóextensiveHSK 4, nr, 12 strokes, radical 十, rank #3542, Hard
博bóampleHSK 4, nr, 12 strokes, radical 十, rank #3542, Hard
博bórichHSK 4, nr, 12 strokes, radical 十, rank #3542, Hard
博bóobtainHSK 4, nr, 12 strokes, radical 十, rank #3542, Hard
博bóaimHSK 4, nr, 12 strokes, radical 十, rank #3542, Hard
博bóto winHSK 4, nr, 12 strokes, radical 十, rank #3542, Hard
博bóto getHSK 4, nr, 12 strokes, radical 十, rank #3542, Hard
博bóplentifulHSK 4, nr, 12 strokes, radical 十, rank #3542, Hard
博bóto gambleHSK 4, nr, 12 strokes, radical 十, rank #3542, Hard
博bóold variant of 博[bó]HSK 4, nr, 12 strokes, radical 十, rank #3542, Hard
博bóto gamble, to play games; to win; rich, plentiful, extensive; wide, broadHSK 4, nr, 12 strokes, radical 十, rank #3542, Hard
bó(bo2) T2
  1. 1extensive
  2. 2ample
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
博bó(bo2)

The character 博 (bó) means extensive or ample, often used to describe a vast amount of knowledge or richness. It can also refer to gaining something, such as winning a game or obtaining a reward. In a broader sense, it conveys the idea of abundance or wide-ranging qualities.

Strokes12Radical十Frequency#3542DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the value of knowledge and education is highly esteemed, and the character 博 often appears in academic settings, symbolizing the pursuit of extensive learning.

Memory Tip

Think of 博 (bó) as a scholar with a wide-brimmed hat, symbolizing a wealth of knowledge. The character's form combines the 'rich' radical and a hint of 'broadness', reminding you that someone who knows much has a 'broad' mind.

Meanings of 博

bó(bo2)
1extensive
2ample
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 博

博Simplified
12Strokes
十Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#3542Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4

Podcast: 博

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Podcast: 博

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 博

Quick Contrast

广 (guǎng) - use 博 (bó) when emphasizing depth of knowledge or richness, whereas 广 (guǎng) focuses more on physical space or extent.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 博 (bó) as a scholar with a wide-brimmed hat, symbolizing a wealth of knowledge. The character's form combines the 'rich' radical and a hint of 'broadness', reminding you that someone who knows much has a 'broad' mind.

Usage Notes

博 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but is often found in academic or literary language. Common collocations include 博学 (bóxué, knowledgeable) and 博士 (bóshì, doctor). Be careful with tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other characters.

HSK Study Tips

博 is not part of the official HSK levels, but it’s useful for learners at HSK 4 and above. Focus on its usage in contexts of knowledge and achievement, as well as its role in compound words.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the value of knowledge and education is highly esteemed, and the character 博 often appears in academic settings, symbolizing the pursuit of extensive learning.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 博 with 知 (zhī, to know), using it incorrectly in contexts that only require a simple acknowledgment of knowledge. For example, saying '我博你' instead of '我知道你' (I know you) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 博

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Etymology of 博

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 十 represents the meaning and 尃 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

ten

Semantic (meaning)十
+
Phonetic (sound)尃
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 博?

Decomposition of 博

IDS Structure⿰十尃
博Full Character
=
十shi2
left
尃fu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 博?

Write 博

博

Practice writing 博 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 博

博 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 11 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

现在他还想去报____士班继续在中国工作。

Now he also wants to enroll in a doctoral program to continue working in China.

Example Sentences for 博 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
蒙博托出身行伍，通过一级级晋升，最终成为了陆军司令。

mēng bó tuō chū shēn háng wǔ， ， tōng guò yī jí jí jìn， shēng ， zuì zhōng chéng wéi le lù jūn。

Mobutu ascended through the ranks, eventually becoming commander of the army.
2
这真是一段精彩绝伦的舞蹈表演，每次总是博得全场喝彩。

zhè zhēn shì yī duàn jīng cǎi jué lún de wǔ dǎo biǎo yǎn， ， měi cì zǒng shì bó dé quán cháng hē。

It's really an amazing dance. It just always brings the house down.
3
瑞安博士周游世界为他的书搜集资料。

ruì ān bó shì zhōu yóu shì jiè wéi tā de shū sōu jí zī liào。

Dr Ryan travelled the world gathering material for his book.
4
就在那时，博物馆陷入了一片漆黑。

jiù zài nà shí， ， bó wù guǎn xiàn rù le yī piàn qī。

At that instant the museum was plunged into total darkness.
5
普利茅斯海洋研究所的科学家一半有学士学位，另一半则有博士学位。

pǔ lì máo sī hǎi yáng yán jiū suǒ de kē xué jiā yī bàn yǒu xué shì xué wèi， ， lìng yī bàn zé yǒu bó shì xué。

Half of PML's scientists have first degrees, the other half have PhDs.
6
我们有一位见识广博的导游乔治·亚当斯。

wǒ mén yǒu yī wèi jiàn shí guǎng bó de dǎo yóu qiáo zhì· · yà dāng。

We had a knowledgeable guide in the person of George Adams.
7
几个月来马尔科姆一直想参观巴黎的艺术博物馆。

jī gè yuè lái mǎ ěr kē mǔ yī zhí xiǎng cān guān bā lí de yì shù bó wù guǎn。

For months Malcolm had wanted to visit the Parisian art museums.
8
欢迎回来，德博拉，有你在这儿真好。

huān yíng huí lái， ， dé bó， lā ， yǒu nǐ zài zhè ér。

Welcome back, Deborah—It's good to have you here.
9
几个在场的人，包括温博格，所掌握的信息截然不同。

jī gè zài cháng de rén， ， bāo kuò wēn bó， gé ， suǒ zhǎng wò de xìn xī jié rán。

Several of those present, including Weinberger, had contrary information.
10
负责寻找志愿者的人是查尔斯·韦伯博士。

fù zé xún zhǎo zhì yuàn zhě de rén shì chá ěr sī· · wéi bó bó。

The man responsible for finding the volunteers is Dr. Charles Weber.

Cultural Notes for 博

💡Did you know?

The character '博' is often associated with scholarship and learning in Chinese culture. It reflects the importance of knowledge and education, much revered in Confucian philosophy.

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the value of knowledge and education is highly esteemed, and the character 博 often appears in academic settings, symbolizing the pursuit of extensive learning.

Word Family of 博

Words Containing This Character20
博bóample
博士bóshìdoctor
博物馆bówùguǎnmuseum博物館
赌博dǔbóto gamble賭博
博文blog article
博客bókèweblog
博览会bólǎnhuìexposition博覽會
博得to win
博弈gambling
博爱universal love博愛
博士学位PhD博士學位
博尔顿Bolton (name)博爾頓
博学learned博學
博士后postdoc博士後
博大enormous
渊博erudite淵博
博览to read extensively博覽
淄博Zibo, prefecture level city in Shandong
博取to win (favors, confidence etc)
博彩lottery
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 博 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 博

Synonyms for 博 (bó) include 广 (guǎng), meaning broad or wide, and 丰富 (fēngfù), meaning rich or abundant. These words carry similar meanings but may differ slightly based on the context in which they are used.