(péi) - To compensate & to pay for

Tone 2

péi | 15 strokes | radical:

· péi

To compensate;

to pay for;

to indemnify;

to make up for a loss;

to bear the cost of something.

To compensateto pay forto indemnify

Usage highlights

CompensationTo lose moneyTo apologizeTo make amendsTo pay for a lossCompensation fund

Synonyms

  • to repay, to compensate
  • to make up for, to supplement

Antonyms

  • to earn, to profit
  • surplus, profit

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The company will compensate for the damages (赔偿).
  • He paid for the broken vase (赔了).
  • I apologize for my mistake (赔礼道歉).
  • They lost money on the investment (赔钱).

Collocations

  • Compensation(赔偿)
  • To lose money(赔钱)
  • To apologize(赔礼)
  • To make amends(赔罪)
  • To pay for a loss(赔本)
  • Compensation fund(赔款)

Idioms

  • To apologize and make amends(赔礼道歉)
  • To lose one's capital and suffer losses(赔了夫人又折兵)
  • To apologize on bended knees(负荆赔罪)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 賠 is strongly associated with commerce, finance, and social etiquette regarding responsibility.
  • In traditional Chinese business culture, the concept of 賠 reflects the importance of honoring commitments and making good on losses.
  • The idiom '赔了夫人又折兵' originates from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, illustrating a double loss.

FAQ