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March 24, 2026
哺乳bǔrǔ(bu3ru3)
哺乳 refers to the act of nursing or breastfeeding, where a mother feeds her infant with milk from her breasts. This term is commonly used in discussions about child-rearing, health, and maternal care, emphasizing the natural bond between mother and child during feeding.
Frequency#25436DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, breastfeeding is valued and often discussed in the context of maternal health and the well-being of the child. There is a strong emphasis on natural parenting practices, including breastfeeding for the first few years of life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a mother bird (哺) feeding her chick (乳) with her milk, symbolizing nurturing. The character 哺 looks like a bird with its beak open, ready to feed, while 乳 visually represents the concept of milk, reinforcing the connection to nursing.
Meanings of 哺乳
bǔrǔ(bu3ru3)
1breast feeding
2to suckle
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 哺乳
哺乳Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#25436Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7TOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 哺乳
Podcast: 哺乳
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AI Study Notes for 哺乳
Quick Contrast
哺乳 (bǔrǔ) vs 喂养 (wèiyǎng) — use 哺乳 specifically for breastfeeding, while 喂养 refers to feeding in a broader sense, including bottle-feeding or solid foods.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a mother bird (哺) feeding her chick (乳) with her milk, symbolizing nurturing. The character 哺 looks like a bird with its beak open, ready to feed, while 乳 visually represents the concept of milk, reinforcing the connection to nursing.
Usage Notes
哺乳 is a formal term often used in medical or educational contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with similar terms like 喂 (wèi), which simply means 'to feed' and can refer to feeding animals or children with food other than milk. The term is typically used in more formal discussions about breastfeeding.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 哺乳 connects with other vocabulary related to healthcare and family, such as 母亲 (mǔqīn, mother) and 婴儿 (yīng'ér, infant). Students should focus on the contexts in which it is used, particularly in healthcare discussions and child development.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, breastfeeding is valued and often discussed in the context of maternal health and the well-being of the child. There is a strong emphasis on natural parenting practices, including breastfeeding for the first few years of life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 哺乳 with 喂, using it incorrectly in informal settings, such as saying '我在哺乳我的孩子' in everyday conversation instead of '我在喂我的孩子'. Remember, 哺乳 is more formal and specific to breastfeeding.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 哺乳
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Grammar Patterns of 哺乳
哺乳 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 3 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 4
Complete the Sentence
在____动物细胞中脑磷脂和神经节苷脂可能执行同样的功能.
Those in mammalian cells, the cerebrosides and gangliosides, may perform similar functions.
Those in mammalian cells, the cerebrosides and gangliosides, may perform similar functions.
2
蟒主要吃鸟和小的哺乳动物.
mǎng zhǔ yào chī niǎo hé xiǎo de bǔ rǔ dòng wù.
The boa feeds on birds and small mammals.
3
哺乳本身刺激催乳激素的产生, 从而生产更多的乳汁.
bǔ rǔ běn shēn cì jī cuī rǔ jī sù de chǎn shēng, , cóng ér shēng chǎn gēng duō de rǔ.
Nursing stimulates further production of prolactin and, therefore, of milk.
4
鱼的鳃与哺乳动物的肺很相似.
yú de sāi yǔ bǔ rǔ dòng wù de fèi hěn xiāng sì.
There is a close analogy between the gills of a fish and the lungs of a mammal.
Cultural Notes for 哺乳
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, breastfeeding is valued and often discussed in the context of maternal health and the well-being of the child. There is a strong emphasis on natural parenting practices, including breastfeeding for the first few years of life.
Frequently Asked Questions about 哺乳
No, while it primarily refers to human nursing, it can also describe the nursing of animals.
哺乳 specifically refers to breastfeeding, while 喂养 (wèiyǎng) encompasses feeding in general, including solid food.
Yes, 哺乳 is typically used in formal discussions, especially in healthcare and parenting contexts.
