Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
保卫(保衛)bǎowèi(bao3wei4)
保卫 means 'to defend' or 'to safeguard.' It is commonly used in contexts relating to protecting a person, place, or idea from danger or harm. This verb often appears in discussions about national security, personal safety, and protecting rights.
Frequency#4888DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of safeguarding is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, often emphasized in discussions about national pride and the role of the military. It reflects historical contexts where defense against invasions was critical.
Memory Tip
Imagine a soldier (保) standing guard (卫) with a shield, ready to protect a castle. The '保' (bǎo) part looks like a 'protective barrier,' while '卫' (wèi) represents a 'defensive position'. Together, they symbolize the act of safeguarding.
Meanings of 保卫
bǎowèi(bao3wei4)
1to defend
2to safeguard
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 保卫
保卫Simplified
保衛Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4888Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 保卫
Podcast: 保卫
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 保卫
Quick Contrast
捍卫 (hànwèi) — use 保卫 for general defense and捍卫 for a more assertive or principled form of defense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a soldier (保) standing guard (卫) with a shield, ready to protect a castle. The '保' (bǎo) part looks like a 'protective barrier,' while '卫' (wèi) represents a 'defensive position'. Together, they symbolize the act of safeguarding.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 保卫 with other similar verbs like 保护 (bǎohù), which means 'to protect' but with a broader, less aggressive connotation. '保卫' is often used in formal contexts, especially related to security forces or military.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 保卫 connects with other verbs of action and protection, such as 保护 (bǎohù) and 捍卫 (hànwèi). Focus on using it in formal writing or discussions about security and defense.
Cultural Note
The concept of safeguarding is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, often emphasized in discussions about national pride and the role of the military. It reflects historical contexts where defense against invasions was critical.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 保卫 when discussing non-aggressive protection, leading to awkward phrasing. For example, saying '我保卫我的朋友' (I defend my friend) should be corrected to '我保护我的朋友' (I protect my friend).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 保卫
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 保卫 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 保卫 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 保卫
保卫 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 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 3
Complete the Sentence
每个能够参加战斗的男子现在都决心要____这条山脊。
Every man who could fight was now committed to defend the ridge.
Because you are able to take up arms and defend your motherland, we are all proud of you.
Cultural Notes for 保卫
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of safeguarding is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, often emphasized in discussions about national pride and the role of the military. It reflects historical contexts where defense against invasions was critical.
Frequently Asked Questions about 保卫
It's more commonly found in formal discussions or written contexts, such as news articles about security.
While technically possible, it's unusual; 保护 is more appropriate for personal contexts.
Not necessarily; it can also imply a peaceful defense, but the context will clarify the nuance.
