寶 (bǎo) - Treasure, precious object & something of great value

寶Tone 3

bǎo ｜ 20 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

寶 · bǎo

Treasure, precious object;

something of great value;

to cherish;

also used as an honorific term.

Treasure, precious objectsomething of great valueto cherish

Usage highlights

TreasureBabyNational treasurePrecious stoneTreasure swordTreasure book

Synonyms

  • 珍— precious, rare
  • 贵— valuable, expensive
  • 玉— jade (often used metaphorically for precious things)

Antonyms

  • 贱— cheap, worthless
  • 废— waste, useless

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This jade is a family treasure (传家宝).
  • The baby is the family's precious one (宝宝).
  • The museum houses national treasures (国宝).
  • She received a precious gift (宝物).

Collocations

  • Treasure(宝贝)
  • Baby(宝宝)
  • National treasure(国宝)
  • Precious stone(宝石)
  • Treasure sword(宝剑)
  • Treasure book(宝典)

Idioms

  • As if having obtained a treasure(如获至宝)
  • Priceless treasure(无价之宝)
  • Treasure sword presented to a hero(宝剑赠英雄)
  • The treasure reveals itself to its destined owner(宝物自寻主)
  • Treasure mountains return empty-handed(宝山空回)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Traditionally associated with jade, gold, and other precious materials symbolizing wealth and status.
  • In Buddhism, refers to the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha (三宝).
  • Commonly used in names to express affection and value, especially for children.
  • Appears in many Chinese idioms and folk tales about hidden treasures and magical objects.

FAQ