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March 24, 2026
波涛(波濤)bōtāo(bo1tao1)
波涛 (bōtāo) refers to great waves or billows, often used to describe the powerful and dynamic movement of water, particularly in oceans or large bodies of water. It conveys a sense of both beauty and danger, commonly appearing in literary contexts or discussions about nature.
Frequency#22046DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The term 波涛 is often used in Chinese poetry and literature to express the majesty and unpredictability of nature, reflecting traditional Chinese values that admire the power of natural elements.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant wave (波) breaking onto the shore, making a loud 'tao' sound as it crashes down. The character 波, resembling flowing water, helps you connect the sound and meaning to the concept of waves.
Meanings of 波涛
bōtāo(bo1tao1)
1great waves
2billows
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 波涛
波涛Simplified
波濤Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#22046Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 波涛
Podcast: 波涛
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AI Study Notes for 波涛
Quick Contrast
波浪 (bōlàng) - use 波涛 (bōtāo) for a more dramatic or powerful connotation compared to the more general waves implied by 波浪.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant wave (波) breaking onto the shore, making a loud 'tao' sound as it crashes down. The character 波, resembling flowing water, helps you connect the sound and meaning to the concept of waves.
Usage Notes
波涛 is typically used in more formal or poetic contexts rather than everyday conversation. It's important to note the tone in pronunciation; a slight mispronunciation can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. Common collocations include '波涛汹涌' (bōtāo xiōngyǒng), meaning 'the waves are surging'.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 波涛 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to nature and emotions. Students should focus on using it in descriptive writing or discussions about literature, where its evocative quality can be fully appreciated.
Cultural Note
The term 波涛 is often used in Chinese poetry and literature to express the majesty and unpredictability of nature, reflecting traditional Chinese values that admire the power of natural elements.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 波涛 with smaller wave terms like 浪 (làng), which means 'wave.' For example, saying '小波涛' (xiǎo bōtāo) is incorrect; use '小浪' (xiǎo làng) instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 波涛
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Grammar Patterns of 波涛
波涛 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 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 4
Complete the Sentence
有时海上____汹涌，她就会晕船。
It was quite rough at times, and she was seasick.
Example Sentences for 波涛 (6)
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1
有时海上波涛汹涌，她就会晕船。
yǒu shí hǎi shàng bō tāo xiōng yǒng， ， tā jiù huì yùn。
The boat rolled heavily in the troughs between the waves.
5
汹涌的波涛猛烈地冲击着礁岸.
xiōng yǒng de bō tāo měng liè dì chōng jī zháo jiāo àn.
The foaming waves chafe against the rocky shore.
6
波涛拍岸.
bō tāo pāi àn.
The waves were beating on the shore.
Cultural Notes for 波涛
🏮Cultural insight
The term 波涛 is often used in Chinese poetry and literature to express the majesty and unpredictability of nature, reflecting traditional Chinese values that admire the power of natural elements.
Frequently Asked Questions about 波涛
No, 波涛 specifically refers to large, powerful waves, so it is not appropriate for small waves.
It's not commonly used in everyday speech; it's more often found in literary or formal contexts.
A common phrase is '波涛汹涌', which vividly describes turbulent waves.
