bou1褒
Jyutpingbou1
Yalebōu
Definition
To praise, honor, commend, or express positive approval.
neutraldescriptionscommunication
How it's used
Primarily appears in formal compounds or written contexts rather than casual spoken sentences. When used in speech, it often functions as part of a contrastive pair with 貶, such as in the phrase 褒貶. It carries a slightly more literary or evaluative weight compared to the everyday word 讚.
Examples
He always praises his subordinates and is very popular.
Related words
Common phrases
positive connotation
to praise and reward
Common mistake
Learners often try to use it as a direct verb for complimenting someone in daily life, but it sounds unnatural. Use 讚 or 讚賞 instead for casual social interactions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
