赔 (péi) - To compensate & to pay for losses

赔Tone 2

péi ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

柠七

赔 · péi

To compensate;

to pay for losses;

to make amends;

to lose money in business.

To compensateto pay for lossesto make amends

Usage highlights

Compensate for lossesApologizeLose moneyCompensation paymentBusiness lossMake amends

Synonyms

  • 偿— to repay, compensate
  • 补— to make up for, supplement
  • 付— to pay

Antonyms

  • 赚— to earn, profit
  • 盈— to have surplus, profit
  • 利— profit, benefit

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The company will compensate for the damage (赔偿损失).
  • He lost money on that investment (赔了钱).
  • I apologize for my mistake (赔礼道歉).
  • The insurance covers compensation (保险赔付).

Collocations

  • Compensate for losses(赔偿损失)
  • Apologize(赔礼)
  • Lose money(赔钱)
  • Compensation payment(赔款)
  • Business loss(赔本)
  • Make amends(赔罪)

Idioms

  • Lose a wife and折兵(赔了夫人又折兵)
  • Lose capital and interest(赔本赚吆喝)
  • Apologize and make compensation(赔礼道歉)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese business culture, '赔' carries strong negative connotations of financial loss and failure.
  • The idiom '赔了夫人又折兵' from Romance of the Three Kingdoms illustrates losing on multiple fronts.
  • Traditionally associated with merchants and commercial transactions where compensation was expected for losses.

FAQ