HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 衤, rank #4109, Medium
补
bǔ
to patch
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 衤, rank #4109, Medium
补
bǔ
to mend
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 衤, rank #4109, Medium
补
bǔ
to make up for
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 衤, rank #4109, Medium
补
bǔ
to fill (a vacancy)
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 衤, rank #4109, Medium
补
bǔ
to supplement
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 衤, rank #4109, Medium
补
bǔ
to fix, to mend, to patch, to restore
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 衤, rank #4109, Medium
bǔ(bu3) T3
1to repair
2to patch
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March 24, 2026
补(補)bǔ(bu3)
The character 补 (bǔ) primarily means 'to repair' or 'to mend' something that is broken or damaged. It can also refer to making up for a deficiency, such as filling a vacancy or supplementing something lacking. This character is used in both everyday contexts, like fixing clothing, and more abstract situations, such as compensating for a missed opportunity.
Strokes7Radical衤Frequency#4109DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the idea of 补 also extends to traditional medicine, where one might 补身体 (bǔ shēntǐ) or 'nourish the body' with certain foods or herbs, highlighting the importance of maintaining balance and health.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'b' (for bǔ) patching a hole in a pair of pants. The radical 衤 (yī) signifies clothing, which helps recall that 补 relates to repairing or patching fabric. Visualize a busy tailor sewing up tears, bringing things back to their original state.
Meanings of 补
bǔ(bu3)
1to repair
2to patch
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 补
补Simplified
補Traditional
7Strokes
衤Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4109Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6ElementaryTOCFLL3YCTL4HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 补
Podcast: 补
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AI Study Notes for 补
Quick Contrast
补 (bǔ) vs 修 (xiū) — use 补 when referring to filling in or making up for a deficiency, while 修 is more about repairing or fixing something to restore it to its original state.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'b' (for bǔ) patching a hole in a pair of pants. The radical 衤 (yī) signifies clothing, which helps recall that 补 relates to repairing or patching fabric. Visualize a busy tailor sewing up tears, bringing things back to their original state.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 补 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but collocations like 补课 (bǔkè, to make up a class) are very common. Remember that the third tone in bǔ can sometimes be mispronounced as a second tone.
HSK Study Tips
While 补 is not classified under the HSK levels, it is a practical term that aligns with HSK 3 vocabulary focused on everyday actions. Students should practice using it in sentences that involve repairs or adjustments, linking it to words like 修 (xiū, to fix) for better comprehension.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the idea of 补 also extends to traditional medicine, where one might 补身体 (bǔ shēntǐ) or 'nourish the body' with certain foods or herbs, highlighting the importance of maintaining balance and health.
Common Mistakes
Many learners mistakenly say '补课' (bǔkè) as '补的课' (bǔ de kè). The correct form is simply '补课' without the 的.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 补
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Grammar Patterns of 补
补 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 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.
The longer your child can go without needing a filling, the better.
6
他和沃克补好了谷仓顶。
tā hé wò kè bǔ hǎo le gǔ cāng dǐng。
He and Walker patched the barn roof.
7
他眨眼间就能缝补好。
tā zhǎ yǎn jiān jiù néng féng bǔ hǎo。
He will sew it up in a trice.
8
玛丽把织补过的套头衫和袜子重新叠好。
mǎ lì bǎ zhī bǔ guò de tào tóu shān hé wà zǐ zhòng xīn dié hǎo。
Mari refolded the darned pullover and socks.
9
请你把我衬衣的袖子补一下好 吗 ?
qǐng nǐ bǎ wǒ chèn yī de xiù zǐ bǔ yī xià hǎo?
Will you please mend the sleeve of my blouse?
10
所有的破旧衣服都快补好了.
suǒ yǒu de pò jiù yī fú dū kuài bǔ hǎo le.
All the worn - out clothes have been nearly patched up.
Cultural Notes for 补
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the idea of 补 also extends to traditional medicine, where one might 补身体 (bǔ shēntǐ) or 'nourish the body' with certain foods or herbs, highlighting the importance of maintaining balance and health.
Word Family of 补
Words Containing This Character20
补bǔto repair補
补偿bǔchángto compensate補償
补充bǔchōngto replenish補充
弥补míbǔto complement彌補
补贴bǔtiēsubsidy補貼
替补a substitute替補
补给bǔjǐsupply補給
填补tiánbǔto fill a gap填補
修补xiūbǔto mend修補
补助bǔzhùsubsidy補助
补救bǔjiùto remedy補救
互补hùbǔcomplementary互補
候补alternate候補
于事无补unhelpful於事無補
补课bǔkèto make up missed lesson補課
补丁(software) patch補丁
补习bǔxíto take extra lessons in a cram school or with a private tutor補習
滋补nourishing滋補
补考bǔkǎoresit補考
补血to enrich the blood補血
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 补 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 补
补 (bǔ) and 修 (xiū) both relate to repairing, but they have different nuances. 补 is often used for filling in or patching something, while 修 usually refers to fixing or restoring something to its original state. For example, you would use 补 for mending clothes and 修 for fixing a broken appliance.
Yes, 补 (bǔ) can be used in various contexts. It can refer to repairing physical objects, like clothing or furniture, as well as metaphorical uses, such as making up for lost opportunities. Additionally, it is used in phrases like 补课 (bǔ kè), which means to make up a class or lesson.
补 (bǔ) means to repair, patch, mend, or make up for something. It can also refer to filling a vacancy or supplementing something that is lacking. This character is commonly used in various contexts, such as repairing clothes or making up for lost time.
To use 补 (bǔ) in a sentence, you can say: 我需要补这个破洞。 (Wǒ xūyào bǔ zhège pòdòng.), which means 'I need to repair this hole.' You can also use it in the context of making up for something, as in: 他想补上缺失的课。 (Tā xiǎng bǔ shàng quēshī de kè.), meaning 'He wants to make up for the missed class.'
You can use 补 in sentences like '我需要补这件衣服' (Wǒ xūyào bǔ zhè jiàn yīfú), meaning 'I need to mend this piece of clothing.'
Yes, 补 can mean to repair, supplement, or make up for something, depending on the context.
It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of the surrounding vocabulary to maintain appropriate tone.
