Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
报复(報復)bàofù(bao4fu4)
报复 (bàofù) refers to the act of retaliating or seeking revenge against someone for a perceived wrong or harm done. It often suggests a sense of justice or balance being restored, but can also imply a cycle of aggression. Common contexts for usage include personal conflicts, political disputes, and competitive situations.
Frequency#2568DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 报复 can reflect traditional values of honor and justice, where retaliatory actions are sometimes seen as a way to restore personal or familial dignity. This idea is often depicted in literature and films, emphasizing the complexities of revenge.
Memory Tip
Think of 报 (bào) as 'report' and 复 (fù) as 'repeat'. Imagine someone reporting a wrong done to them and then repeating the action back to the perpetrator in retaliation. Visualize a person writing down their grievances and then acting them out to remember the concept of revenge.
Meanings of 报复
bàofù(bao4fu4)
1to make reprisals
2to retaliate
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 报复
报复Simplified
報復Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2568Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 报复
Podcast: 报复
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 报复
Quick Contrast
复仇 (fùchóu) — use 报复 (bàofù) when emphasizing retaliation as a response to a wrong, while 复仇 (fùchóu) focuses on the act of revenge itself.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 报 (bào) as 'report' and 复 (fù) as 'repeat'. Imagine someone reporting a wrong done to them and then repeating the action back to the perpetrator in retaliation. Visualize a person writing down their grievances and then acting them out to remember the concept of revenge.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone of this word; it can carry strong negative connotations in both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include 报复措施 (retaliatory measures) and 报复行为 (acts of revenge). Learners often mistakenly use it in a non-aggressive context; remember it primarily involves a retaliatory action.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 报复 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to conflict and resolution, such as 和解 (settlement) and 复仇 (revenge). Focus on understanding its implications in both social and political contexts to enhance comprehension at this level.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 报复 can reflect traditional values of honor and justice, where retaliatory actions are sometimes seen as a way to restore personal or familial dignity. This idea is often depicted in literature and films, emphasizing the complexities of revenge.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 报复 with 复仇 (revenge), but 报复 emphasizes the act of retaliation itself rather than the personal aspect. For example, saying '我会复仇' (I will take revenge) instead of '我会报复' (I will retaliate) misuses the nuance of the terms.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 报复
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 报复 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 报复 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 报复
报复 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 4 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
为了____，她砸了前任男友的家。
She took revenge on her ex-boyfriend by smashing up his home.
Example Sentences for 报复 (5)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
为了报复，她砸了前任男友的家。
wéi le bào fù， ， tā zá le qián rèn nán yǒu de。
She took revenge on her ex-boyfriend by smashing up his home.
That man cheated my family. Now I am going to get even.
Cultural Notes for 报复
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 报复 can reflect traditional values of honor and justice, where retaliatory actions are sometimes seen as a way to restore personal or familial dignity. This idea is often depicted in literature and films, emphasizing the complexities of revenge.
Frequently Asked Questions about 报复
Yes, 报复 typically has negative connotations, indicating a retaliatory or vengeful action.
Yes, it can be applied to various contexts, including political or competitive scenarios.
The pronunciation is bào fù, with both syllables pronounced in the fourth tone.
