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饱经沧桑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
饱经沧桑bǎojīngcāngsānghaving lived through many changesHSK 7, i, rank #84847, Very Hard
bǎojīngcāngsāng(bao3jing1cang1sang1) T3
  1. 1having lived through many changes
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March 24, 2026
饱经沧桑(飽經滄桑)bǎojīngcāngsāng(bao3jing1cang1sang1)

The idiom 饱经沧桑 (bǎo jīng cāng sāng) describes someone who has experienced many life changes and hardships, often leading to wisdom and resilience. It is commonly used to refer to individuals who have weathered various challenges throughout their lives, reflecting the depth of their experiences.

Frequency#84847DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

This idiom reflects the Chinese value placed on wisdom gained through experience, often associated with age and respect for elders. In Chinese culture, enduring hardships is seen as a source of strength and character.

Memory Tip

Imagine a wise old sea captain (沧) who has sailed through many storms (桑) and has seen countless shores (饱). Each wave represents a life challenge, and the captain's weathered face tells stories of resilience. The sound 'bǎo' can be linked to 'bowl' - picture a bowl filled with the experiences of a lifetime.

Meanings of 饱经沧桑

bǎojīngcāngsāng(bao3jing1cang1sang1)
1having lived through many changes
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About 饱经沧桑

饱经沧桑Simplified
飽經滄桑Traditional
Strokes
Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#65535Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7TOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 饱经沧桑

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Podcast: 饱经沧桑

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AI Study Notes for 饱经沧桑

Quick Contrast

历经沧桑 (lì jīng cāng sāng) — use 饱经沧桑 when emphasizing the accumulation of experiences leading to wisdom, while 历经沧桑 focuses more on the act of having gone through various hardships.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a wise old sea captain (沧) who has sailed through many storms (桑) and has seen countless shores (饱). Each wave represents a life challenge, and the captain's weathered face tells stories of resilience. The sound 'bǎo' can be linked to 'bowl' - picture a bowl filled with the experiences of a lifetime.

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in formal contexts, especially when discussing someone's life story or achievements. Be careful not to use it casually; it carries a weight of respect. Common collocations include '饱经沧桑的人' (a person who has lived through many changes) and '经历' (to experience).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 term, this idiom connects well with other expressions related to life experiences and wisdom. Students should focus on understanding its usage in storytelling and personal narratives, as well as practice using it in context to describe others or themselves.

Cultural Note

This idiom reflects the Chinese value placed on wisdom gained through experience, often associated with age and respect for elders. In Chinese culture, enduring hardships is seen as a source of strength and character.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse this idiom by applying it in light-hearted contexts, such as describing minor difficulties. For example, saying '我饱经沧桑的经历只是一次考试' (My experiences are just one exam) is incorrect; it trivializes the idiom's meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 饱经沧桑

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Idiom Spotlight: 饱经沧桑

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:full experienced rough times

Component Characters

bǎoto eat till full
HSK 38 strokes
View full entry
Jīngclassics
HSK 78 strokes
View full entry
cāngblue-green or azure (of water)
7 strokes
View full entry
Sāngmulberry tree
10 strokes
View full entry

Write 饱经沧桑

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Grammar Patterns of 饱经沧桑

饱经沧桑 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. 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

这个男人有张____的脸。

The man had a worn, weathered face.

Example Sentences for 饱经沧桑 (1)

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1
这个男人有张饱经沧桑的脸。

zhè gè nán rén yǒu zhāng bǎo jīng cāng sāng de liǎn。

The man had a worn, weathered face.

Cultural Notes for 饱经沧桑

🏮Cultural insight

This idiom reflects the Chinese value placed on wisdom gained through experience, often associated with age and respect for elders. In Chinese culture, enduring hardships is seen as a source of strength and character.

Frequently Asked Questions about 饱经沧桑

It's generally inappropriate to use 饱经沧桑 for young individuals, as the idiom implies a depth of life experiences that typically comes with age.