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补偿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
补偿bǔchángto compensateHSK 6, vn, rank #3118, Hard
补偿bǔchángto make upHSK 6, vn, rank #3118, Hard
bǔcháng(bu3chang2) T3
  1. 1to compensate
  2. 2to make up
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March 24, 2026
补偿(補償)bǔcháng(bu3chang2)

补偿 (bǔcháng) means to compensate or make up for something that has been lost, damaged, or is insufficient. It is commonly used in both financial contexts and in discussions about emotional or social reparations, such as compensating someone for a wrong done to them.

Frequency#3118DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the idea of 补偿 is often linked to the concept of harmony (和谐) in relationships. Compensating for mistakes is seen as a way to restore balance and maintain social harmony, reflecting the importance of interpersonal relationships in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a broken bridge (补) that needs to be fixed (偿). When you repair it, you are making up for the gap it created in your journey. The sound 'bu' can remind you of 'boo', as in 'boo-hoo' for something lost, while 'chang' sounds like 'change' which ties back to the idea of making up for that loss.

Meanings of 补偿

bǔcháng(bu3chang2)
1to compensate
2to make up
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 补偿

补偿Simplified
補償Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#3118Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 补偿

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Podcast: 补偿

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AI Study Notes for 补偿

Quick Contrast

赔偿 (péicháng) - use 补偿 when emphasizing the act of compensating for a loss, while 赔偿 often implies a formal or legal context.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a broken bridge (补) that needs to be fixed (偿). When you repair it, you are making up for the gap it created in your journey. The sound 'bu' can remind you of 'boo', as in 'boo-hoo' for something lost, while 'chang' sounds like 'change' which ties back to the idea of making up for that loss.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 补偿 with similar terms like 赔偿 (péicháng), which specifically refers to compensation for losses or damages. 补偿 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is often seen in legal or contractual language. Remember to use the correct tones: bǔ (3rd tone) and cháng (2nd tone).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 补偿 is connected to complex topics such as law, finance, and interpersonal relationships. Students should focus on its usage in various contexts and practice with related terms like 赔偿 (compensate for a loss) and 弥补 (mend or make up for).

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the idea of 补偿 is often linked to the concept of harmony (和谐) in relationships. Compensating for mistakes is seen as a way to restore balance and maintain social harmony, reflecting the importance of interpersonal relationships in Chinese society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 补偿 with 赔偿, mistakenly using 补偿 in legal contexts where 赔偿 is more appropriate. For example, saying '我会补偿你的损失' (I will compensate your losses) should instead be '我会赔偿你的损失'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 补偿

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Component Characters

to repair
HSK 67 strokes
View full entry
chángto repay
HSK 711 strokes
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Write 补偿

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

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Grammar Patterns of 补偿

补偿 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 2

Complete the Sentence

该公司不得不为裁员支付4.72亿英镑的____款。

The company has had to make redundancy payments of £472 million.

Example Sentences for 补偿 (2)

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1
该公司不得不为裁员支付4.72亿英镑的补偿款。

gāi gōng sī bù dé bù wéi cái yuán zhī fù4.72 4.72 yì yīng bàng de bǔ cháng。

The company has had to make redundancy payments of £472 million.
2
他导致了他们的婚姻破裂,因此想作出补偿。

tā dǎo zhì le tā mén de hūn yīn pò liè, , yīn cǐ xiǎng zuò chū bǔ。

He wanted to make amends for causing their marriage to fail.

Cultural Notes for 补偿

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the idea of 补偿 is often linked to the concept of harmony (和谐) in relationships. Compensating for mistakes is seen as a way to restore balance and maintain social harmony, reflecting the importance of interpersonal relationships in Chinese society.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, compensation often focuses on monetary restitution or legal consequences, whereas in Chinese culture, emotional and relational aspects are equally important in the compensation process.

Frequently Asked Questions about 补偿

补偿 is broader and can refer to making up for any loss or deficiency, while 赔偿 specifically refers to compensation for damages or losses.