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补救 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
补救bǔjiùto remedyHSK 7, v, rank #7928, Hard
bǔjiù(bu3jiu4) T3
  1. 1to remedy
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March 24, 2026
补救(補救)bǔjiù(bu3jiu4)

补救 (bǔjiù) means to remedy or to make up for a mistake or shortcoming. It is commonly used in contexts where a corrective action is needed to fix a problem or improve a situation, often after an error has occurred.

Frequency#7928DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 补救 is important in education and business, where there is a strong emphasis on accountability and correcting mistakes. This reflects a cultural value of striving for continuous improvement.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'boot' (补, bǔ) that 'jumps' (救, jiù) in to save the day when something goes wrong. Visualize a boot that you wear when you need to remedy a situation, making it easier to remember both the form and meaning.

Meanings of 补救

bǔjiù(bu3jiu4)
1to remedy
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 补救

补救Simplified
補救Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#7928Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 补救

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Podcast: 补救

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AI Study Notes for 补救

Quick Contrast

补救 (bǔjiù) vs 整治 (zhěngzhì): use 补救 when referring specifically to remedying a mistake, while 整治 implies a broader sense of rectifying or improving a situation.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'boot' (补, bǔ) that 'jumps' (救, jiù) in to save the day when something goes wrong. Visualize a boot that you wear when you need to remedy a situation, making it easier to remember both the form and meaning.

Usage Notes

This term is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but be careful with tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. Common collocations include 补救措施 (remedial measures) and 补救方法 (remedial methods).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 补救 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to problem-solving and correction, such as 纠正 (correct) and 改善 (improve). Focus on using it in complex sentences to express nuanced ideas about remediation.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 补救 is important in education and business, where there is a strong emphasis on accountability and correcting mistakes. This reflects a cultural value of striving for continuous improvement.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 补救 with 解决 (jiějué), which means to solve a problem. A common error is saying '我想解决这个问题' (I want to remedy this problem) instead of '我想补救这个问题'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 补救

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Component Characters

to repair
HSK 67 strokes
View full entry
jiùaid, help; to rescue, to save
HSK 511 strokes
View full entry

Write 补救

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

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Grammar Patterns of 补救

补救 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. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

情况早变了,不是谁提个建议就能____的事儿。

The situation is long past the stage when anyone's advice would help.

Example Sentences for 补救 (2)

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1
情况早变了,不是谁提个建议就能补救的事儿。

qíng kuàng zǎo biàn le, , bù shì shuí tí gè jiàn yì jiù néng bǔ jiù de shì。

The situation is long past the stage when anyone's advice would help.
2
这座设计拙劣的桥需要做补救工作,以确保它的安全.

zhè zuò shè jì zhuō liè de qiáo xū yào zuò bǔ jiù gōng zuò, , yǐ què bǎo tā de ān.

The poorly designed bridge needs remedial work to make It'safe.

Cultural Notes for 补救

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 补救 is important in education and business, where there is a strong emphasis on accountability and correcting mistakes. This reflects a cultural value of striving for continuous improvement.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the idea of remedying a mistake may be more focused on personal responsibility, while in Chinese culture, it often involves collective efforts and consulting authority figures for solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions about 补救

Yes, it's commonly used when discussing ways to fix mistakes or address problems in various contexts.