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弥补 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
弥补míbǔto complementHSK 6, v, rank #3493, Hard
弥补míbǔto make up for a deficiencyHSK 6, v, rank #3493, Hard
míbǔ(mi2bu3) T2
  1. 1to complement
  2. 2to make up for a deficiency
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March 24, 2026
弥补(彌補)míbǔ(mi2bu3)

弥补 (mí bǔ) means to fill in a gap or to compensate for a deficiency. It is often used in contexts where one seeks to rectify a mistake or improve a situation that has shortcomings. This term conveys a sense of making amends or enhancing something that is lacking.

Frequency#3493DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of making amends is often tied to social harmony and relationships, where restoring balance is essential. The term 弥补 reflects the value placed on rectifying mistakes to maintain good relationships.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bridge being constructed to弥 (mí) the gap in the landscape. The word补 (bǔ) sounds like 'boot,' which you might 'put on' to cover your foot when it has a hole. Together, you 'put on' a bridge to補 (bǔ) the gap, symbolizing making up for what is missing.

Meanings of 弥补

míbǔ(mi2bu3)
1to complement
2to make up for a deficiency
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 弥补

弥补Simplified
彌補Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3493Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 弥补

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Podcast: 弥补

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AI Study Notes for 弥补

Quick Contrast

补偿 (bǔcháng) - use 弥补 when emphasizing the act of filling a gap or correcting a deficiency, while 补偿 focuses more on compensating or reimbursing for a loss.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a bridge being constructed to弥 (mí) the gap in the landscape. The word补 (bǔ) sounds like 'boot,' which you might 'put on' to cover your foot when it has a hole. Together, you 'put on' a bridge to補 (bǔ) the gap, symbolizing making up for what is missing.

Usage Notes

When using 弥补, be careful to pair it with the correct context, such as mistakes or losses, rather than in casual settings. Common collocations include 弥补过失 (to make up for mistakes) and 弥补损失 (to compensate for losses). Pay attention to the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning significantly.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 弥补 connects with others that express correction or improvement, such as 改正 (gǎi zhèng) meaning 'to correct.' Students should focus on using it in appropriate contexts related to compensation or enhancement.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of making amends is often tied to social harmony and relationships, where restoring balance is essential. The term 弥补 reflects the value placed on rectifying mistakes to maintain good relationships.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 弥补 with 补充 (bǔ chōng), which means 'to supplement.' A common mistake is saying '弥补信息' (mí bǔ xìn xī) instead of '补充信息' (bǔ chōng xìn xī) when referring to providing additional information. Make sure to use 弥补 specifically for compensation contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 弥补

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Component Characters

full
8 strokes
View full entry
to repair
HSK 67 strokes
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Write 弥补

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

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Grammar Patterns of 弥补

弥补 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 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

这一举措会对该组织造成不可____的损害。

The move would cause irreparable harm to the organization.

Example Sentences for 弥补 (3)

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1
这一举措会对该组织造成不可弥补的损害。

zhè yī jǔ cuò huì duì gāi zǔ zhī zào chéng bù kě mí bǔ de sǔn hài。

The move would cause irreparable harm to the organization.
2
他拿到了一笔日补贴以弥补他的差旅费。

tā ná dào le yī bǐ rì bǔ tiē yǐ mí bǔ tā de chà lǚ fèi。

He received a per diem allowance to cover his travel expenses.
3
琼斯射入两球方弥补其初时表现之不足.

qióng sī shè rù liǎng qiú fāng mí bǔ qí chū shí biǎo xiàn zhī bù zú.

Jones redeemed his earlier poor performance by scoring two goals.

Cultural Notes for 弥补

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of making amends is often tied to social harmony and relationships, where restoring balance is essential. The term 弥补 reflects the value placed on rectifying mistakes to maintain good relationships.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, making up for a mistake often involves direct apologies or reparations, while in Chinese culture, there is a stronger emphasis on restoring harmony and balance in relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions about 弥补

Yes, 弥补 is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about rectifying errors or deficiencies.