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| 保养 [2025/08/04 01:42] – created xiaoer | 保养 [2025/08/04 01:43] (current) – xiaoer |
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| ====== bǎoyǎng: 保养 - To Maintain, Upkeep, Take Care Of ====== | ====== bǎoyǎng: 保养 - To Maintain, Upkeep, Take Care Of ====== |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | ===== Quick Summary ===== |
| * **Keywords:** 保养, baoyang, Chinese maintenance, how to say maintain in Chinese, car maintenance in Chinese, skincare in Chinese, Chinese health upkeep, take care of in Chinese, 保养 vs 维修, upkeep in Chinese | * **Keywords:** baoyang meaning, baoyang chinese, how to use baoyang, car maintenance in Chinese, skincare in Chinese, maintain a relationship Chinese, 保养, 保养 vs 维修, Chinese word for maintenance, Chinese word for upkeep, taking care of health in Chinese |
| * **Summary:** Learn the versatile Chinese word **保养 (bǎoyǎng)**, which means to maintain, upkeep, or take care of. From car maintenance (汽车保养) to daily skincare routines (皮肤保养) and preserving one's health, this essential HSK 5 term reflects a cultural emphasis on long-term care, prevention, and preservation. This guide explores its practical uses in modern China, its cultural significance, and provides clear examples to help you master this fundamental concept. | * **Summary:** Discover the versatile Chinese word **保养 (bǎoyǎng)**, a term essential for discussing everything from car maintenance and skincare routines to nurturing one's health. This comprehensive guide breaks down its core meaning, cultural significance, and practical uses in modern China, helping you master this fundamental concept of proactive upkeep and care. Whether you're talking about your car, your skin, or your well-being, **保养 (bǎoyǎng)** is the word you need. |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | ===== Core Meaning ===== |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** bǎo yǎng | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** bǎo yǎng |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb | * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Noun |
| * **HSK Level:** 5 | * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 |
| * **Concise Definition:** To take care of, maintain, or preserve something to keep it in good condition. | * **Concise Definition:** To maintain something or someone in good condition through regular care and upkeep. |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **保养 (bǎoyǎng)** is about the proactive, continuous effort to keep something in its best possible state. It's not about fixing what's broken, but about preventing it from breaking in the first place. Think of it as a disciplined routine of upkeep, whether you're talking about a car, your skin, or your overall health. It carries a sense of cherishing an object or one's well-being and investing in its longevity. | * **In a Nutshell:** **保养 (bǎoyǎng)** is the concept of proactive, preventative maintenance. It’s not about fixing something when it's broken, but about the regular, dedicated effort to keep it in its best possible state. Think of it as the consistent care you give to prevent deterioration, whether that's for your car's engine, the health of your skin, or your overall physical wellness. It implies foresight and a desire for longevity. |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | ===== Character Breakdown ===== |
| * **保 (bǎo):** To protect, keep, or guarantee. Imagine a person (人) protecting or "keeping" a child (呆). It's about safeguarding something. | * **保 (bǎo):** To protect, to keep, to guard. This character shows a person (亻) protecting something precious. The core idea is safeguarding and preserving. |
| * **养 (yǎng):** To nurture, raise, cultivate, or provide for. The character's traditional form (養) depicts providing food (食) to a sheep (羊), evoking a sense of nurturing and raising. | * **养 (yǎng):** To raise, to nurture, to support. The character's traditional form (養) depicts feeding a sheep (羊). It's all about providing nourishment, fostering growth, and cultivating something over time. |
| * When combined, **保养 (bǎoyǎng)** literally means "to protect and nurture." This perfectly captures the dual meaning of safeguarding something from harm while also actively nurturing it to keep it healthy and functional. | * When combined, **保养 (bǎoyǎng)** literally means "to protect and nurture." This beautifully captures the dual action of shielding from harm while actively providing what's needed for long-term health and optimal condition. |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== |
| * In Chinese culture, **保养 (bǎoyǎng)** is more than just a practical task; it's a reflection of a deeply ingrained cultural value. It ties into the principles of thrift, foresight, and valuing longevity. Rather than a "disposable" or "replace-it-when-it-breaks" mentality, there is a strong cultural appreciation for making things last. | * **保养 (bǎoyǎng)** is more than just a word for "maintenance"; it's a reflection of a deep-seated cultural value in China that emphasizes prudence, long-term planning, and preservation. It stands in contrast to a purely consumerist mindset of "use it and replace it." The goal of **保养** is to extend the life and quality of what one already possesses. |
| * **Comparison to Western "Maintenance":** While "maintenance" is a direct translation, **保养 (bǎoyǎng)** often carries a richer, more personal connotation, especially when applied to health. The concept of **保养身体 (bǎoyǎng shēntǐ - maintaining one's body)** is central to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It's not about waiting until you're sick to see a doctor; it's about the daily, disciplined practices of [[养生]] (yǎngshēng - nurturing life) through proper diet, exercise, and rest to maintain balance and prevent illness. This proactive approach to health is a cornerstone of Chinese wellness philosophy. | * **Comparison to Western "Maintenance":** While "maintenance" in English often has a mechanical or technical connotation (e.g., car maintenance, building maintenance), **保养** has a much broader and more personal scope. It seamlessly applies to the human body, health, and appearance. The idea of doing **保养** for your skin or body is as normal as doing it for your car. This reflects the holistic philosophy prominent in Chinese culture, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where preventing illness through a balanced lifestyle (**养生**, a related concept) is considered superior to treating it after it appears. **保养** is the practical application of this preventative philosophy in daily life. |
| * This value extends to material goods. Taking meticulous care of a car, a leather bag, or a piece of equipment is seen as a responsible and virtuous habit, reflecting a respect for one's possessions and the resources used to acquire them. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== |
| === For Inanimate Objects (Cars, Equipment) === | * **保养** is a high-frequency word used in several key contexts: |
| This is the most common and direct usage, equivalent to "maintenance" or "upkeep" in English. It refers to scheduled, preventative care. | * === 1. Mechanical and Technical Upkeep === |
| * **汽车保养 (qìchē bǎoyǎng):** Car maintenance | * This is the most direct translation of "maintenance." It's used for cars, machinery, and equipment. A "4S shop" (dealership service center) is where you take your car for its regular **保养**. |
| * **机器保养 (jīqì bǎoyǎng):** Machine maintenance | * **Example Phrase:** 汽车保养 (qìchē bǎoyǎng) - car maintenance |
| * **保养费 (bǎoyǎng fèi):** Maintenance fee/cost | * === 2. Health and Wellness === |
| === For Health and Beauty (Skincare, Body) === | * This is a hugely important usage. **保养身体 (bǎoyǎng shēntǐ)** means "to take care of one's body/health." It refers to the daily habits that promote well-being, like getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and exercising. It's closely linked to the concept of [[养生]] (yǎngshēng). |
| This is an extremely common usage, especially in conversations about wellness and cosmetics. It implies a routine of self-care. | * **Example Phrase:** 注意保养 (zhùyì bǎoyǎng) - pay attention to health maintenance |
| * **皮肤保养 (pífū bǎoyǎng):** Skincare | * === 3. Skincare and Beauty === |
| * **身体保养 (shēntǐ bǎoyǎng):** Taking care of one's health/body | * In modern China, **保养** is a cornerstone of the beauty industry. It refers to the entire routine and all the products used to maintain youthful, healthy skin. It emphasizes prevention of wrinkles and blemishes rather than just covering them up. |
| * **头发保养 (tóufa bǎoyǎng):** Hair care | * **Example Phrase:** 皮肤保养 (pífū bǎoyǎng) - skin care/maintenance |
| === For Abstract Concepts (Voice, Relationships) === | |
| In a more nuanced way, **保养** can be used for less tangible things that require continuous effort to keep in good condition. | |
| * **保养嗓子 (bǎoyǎng sǎngzi):** To take care of one's voice (used by singers, teachers). | |
| * While less common, one might hear someone talk about the need to **保养** a friendship, implying it needs regular effort and nurturing. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | ===== Example Sentences ===== |
| * **Example 1:** | * **Example 1:** |
| * 我的车每五千公里**保养**一次。 | * 我的车该去**保养**了。 |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ de chē měi wǔqiān gōnglǐ **bǎoyǎng** yí cì. | * Pinyin: Wǒ de chē gāi qù **bǎoyǎng** le. |
| * English: My car gets maintained once every 5,000 kilometers. | * English: My car needs to go for maintenance. |
| * Analysis: This is a textbook example of **保养** for scheduled, preventative maintenance of a machine. | * Analysis: This is the most common and direct use of **保养** for mechanical upkeep. It implies a scheduled, routine service, not a repair. |
| * **Example 2:** | * **Example 2:** |
| * 她每天花很多时间做皮肤**保养**。 | * 她非常注重皮肤**保养**，所以看起来比实际年龄年轻。 |
| * Pinyin: Tā měitiān huā hěn duō shíjiān zuò pífū **bǎoyǎng**. | * Pinyin: Tā fēicháng zhùzhòng pífū **bǎoyǎng**, suǒyǐ kàn qǐlái bǐ shíjì niánlíng niánqīng. |
| * English: She spends a lot of time on her skincare routine every day. | * English: She pays great attention to skincare, so she looks younger than her actual age. |
| * Analysis: Here, **保养** refers to a daily beauty and self-care regimen. It's used as a noun here: "skincare." | * Analysis: Here, **保养** is used as a noun, "skincare" or "skin maintenance." It highlights the beauty and wellness context. |
| * **Example 3:** | * **Example 3:** |
| * 人到中年，就应该更注意**保养**身体了。 | * 医生说，人到中年，一定要注意身体的**保养**。 |
| * Pinyin: Rén dào zhōngnián, jiù yīnggāi gèng zhùyì **bǎoyǎng** shēntǐ le. | * Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō, rén dào zhōngnián, yīdìng yào zhùyì shēntǐ de **bǎoyǎng**. |
| * English: When you reach middle age, you should pay more attention to taking care of your health. | * English: The doctor said that when people reach middle age, they must pay attention to taking care of their bodies. |
| * Analysis: This sentence reflects the cultural idea of proactive health preservation. **保养** is about maintaining wellness over the long term. | * Analysis: This example focuses on health and wellness. **保养** refers to the proactive steps one takes to maintain physical health as one ages. |
| * **Example 4:** | * **Example 4:** |
| * 这辆车的**保养**费用太高了。 | * 这台昂贵相机的**保养**费用很高。 |
| * Pinyin: Zhè liàng chē de **bǎoyǎng** fèiyòng tài gāo le. | * Pinyin: Zhè tái ángguì xiàngjī de **bǎoyǎng** fèiyòng hěn gāo. |
| * English: The maintenance cost for this car is too high. | * English: The maintenance cost for this expensive camera is very high. |
| * Analysis: **保养** is used as a noun qualifier in **保养费 (bǎoyǎng fèi)**, a very practical term for budgeting. | * Analysis: **保养** is used as a noun here, referring to the concept of "upkeep" or "maintenance" in a financial context. |
| * **Example 5:** | * **Example 5:** |
| * 这件皮夹克需要专业的**保养**。 | * 歌手需要好好**保养**自己的嗓子。 |
| * Pinyin: Zhè jiàn píjiākè xūyào zhuānyè de **bǎoyǎng**. | * Pinyin: Gēshǒu xūyào hǎohǎo **bǎoyǎng** zìjǐ de sǎngzi. |
| * English: This leather jacket requires professional maintenance. | * English: A singer needs to take good care of their voice. |
| * Analysis: Demonstrates that **保养** can apply to a wide range of items, not just cars or machines. | * Analysis: This shows the versatility of **保养**. It can be applied to a specific part of the body, like the throat (嗓子), that is essential for a profession. |
| * **Example 6:** | * **Example 6:** |
| * 作为歌手，**保养**嗓子是她的首要任务。 | * 你是怎么**保养**头发的？看起来又黑又亮。 |
| * Pinyin: Zuòwéi gēshǒu, **bǎoyǎng** sǎngzi shì tā de shǒuyào rènwù. | * Pinyin: Nǐ shì zěnme **bǎoyǎng** tóufa de? Kàn qǐlái yòu hēi yòu liàng. |
| * English: As a singer, taking care of her voice is her top priority. | * English: How do you take care of (maintain) your hair? It looks so dark and shiny. |
| * Analysis: A great example of **保养** used for a part of the body that is also a professional "tool." | * Analysis: A common conversational question. **保养** is used as a verb to ask about someone's routine for hair care. |
| * **Example 7:** | * **Example 7:** |
| * 你有什么冬季**保养**皮肤的好建议吗？ | * 买车容易，**保养**车难。 |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ yǒu shénme dōngjì **bǎoyǎng** pífū de hǎo jiànyì ma? | * Pinyin: Mǎi chē róngyì, **bǎoyǎng** chē nán. |
| * English: Do you have any good tips for taking care of skin in the winter? | * English: Buying a car is easy, but maintaining it is hard. |
| * Analysis: Shows how **保养** is used in everyday conversation, asking for practical advice. | * Analysis: This is a common saying that highlights the long-term commitment and cost associated with **保养**. |
| * **Example 8:** | * **Example 8:** |
| * 适当的运动是最好的身体**保养**方法。 | * 这件皮衣需要专业的**保养**服务。 |
| * Pinyin: Shìdàng de yùndòng shì zuì hǎo de shēntǐ **bǎoyǎng** fāngfǎ. | * Pinyin: Zhè jiàn píyī xūyào zhuānyè de **bǎoyǎng** fúwù. |
| * English: Appropriate exercise is the best method of health maintenance. | * English: This leather jacket requires a professional maintenance service. |
| * Analysis: This highlights the link between **保养** and the lifestyle choices that contribute to it. | * Analysis: Demonstrates that **保养** can apply to high-quality items, not just machines or the body. |
| * **Example 9:** | * **Example 9:** |
| * 我们的设备都经过了定期的**保养**，工作状态很好。 | * 他的**保养**秘诀就是每天保持好心情。 |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen de shèbèi dōu jīngguò le dìngqī de **bǎoyǎng**, gōngzuò zhuàngtài hěn hǎo. | * Pinyin: Tā de **bǎoyǎng** mìjué jiùshì měitiān bǎochí hǎo xīnqíng. |
| * English: All of our equipment has undergone regular maintenance and is in excellent working condition. | * English: His secret to staying healthy/young is to maintain a good mood every day. |
| * Analysis: A common phrase in a business or technical context. **定期保养** means "regular/scheduled maintenance." | * Analysis: This shows the holistic nature of **保养**, where it can even encompass mental and emotional well-being as part of physical upkeep. |
| * **Example 10:** | * **Example 10:** |
| * 不仅仅是车，好的关系也需要用心**保养**。 | * 定期**保养**可以延长机器的使用寿命。 |
| * Pinyin: Bùjǐnjǐn shì chē, hǎo de guānxì yě xūyào yòngxīn **bǎoyǎng**. | * Pinyin: Dìngqī **bǎoyǎng** kěyǐ yáncháng jīqì de shǐyòng shòumìng. |
| * English: Not just cars, good relationships also need to be maintained with care. | * English: Regular maintenance can extend the service life of the machine. |
| * Analysis: This shows the more abstract and philosophical use of **保养**, emphasizing the need for continuous effort in relationships. | * Analysis: This sentence clearly states the purpose and benefit of **保养** - longevity and prevention of breakdown. |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== |
| * **保养 (bǎoyǎng) vs. 维修 (wéixiū):** This is the most critical distinction for learners. | * **保养 (bǎoyǎng) vs. 维修 (wéixiū):** This is the most critical distinction for learners. |
| * **保养 (bǎoyǎng)** is **proactive upkeep** to prevent problems. (e.g., An oil change.) | * **保养 (bǎoyǎng)** is **preventative**. It's the scheduled oil change to keep your car running well. |
| * **维修 (wéixiū)** is **reactive repair** to fix something that is already broken. (e.g., The engine won't start.) | * **维修 (wéixiū)** is **corrective**. It's fixing the engine after it has already broken down. |
| * **Incorrect:** ~~我的车坏了，需要保养。~~ (Wǒ de chē huài le, xūyào bǎoyǎng.) -> My car is broken, it needs maintenance. | * **Incorrect:** 我的手机坏了，我需要去**保养**一下。(Wǒ de shǒujī huài le, wǒ xūyào qù bǎoyǎng yīxià.) -> My phone is broken, I need to go get it maintained. |
| * **Correct:** 我的车坏了，需要**维修**。(Wǒ de chē huài le, xūyào **wéixiū**.) -> My car is broken, it needs to be repaired. | * **Correct:** 我的手机坏了，我需要去**维修**一下。(Wǒ de shǒujī huài le, wǒ xūyào qù wéixiū yīxià.) -> My phone is broken, I need to go get it repaired. |
| * **保养 (bǎoyǎng) vs. 保护 (bǎohù):** | * **保养 (bǎoyǎng) vs. 保护 (bǎohù):** |
| * **保养 (bǎoyǎng)** is nurturing something to keep it in a good state (internal focus). | * **保养 (bǎoyǎng)** is about long-term, routine nurturing to maintain condition. |
| * **保护 (bǎohù)** is protecting something from external harm or danger (external focus). | * **保护 (bǎohù)** means "to protect" and is usually about shielding from a specific, often immediate, threat or harm. You put a case on your phone to **保护** it from being dropped. You eat well to **保养** your body. |
| * **Example:** You use a phone case to **保护 (bǎohù)** your phone from drops. You **保养 (bǎoyǎng)** its battery by not overcharging it. | |
| * **"False Friend": Pampering.** While skincare (**皮肤保养**) can feel like pampering, the core idea of **保养** is about disciplined, regular upkeep for the sake of long-term health and function, not just a one-off luxury or indulgence. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== |
| * [[维修]] (wéixiū) - To repair, to fix. The reactive counterpart to proactive **保养**. | * [[维修]] (wéixiū) - To repair, to fix. The corrective action taken after something has broken, contrasting with **保养**'s preventative nature. |
| * [[维护]] (wéihù) - To maintain, to uphold, to safeguard. Similar to **保养**, but often used for abstract things like order (`维护秩序`), peace (`维护和平`), or digital systems (`系统维护`). | * [[维护]] (wéihù) - To maintain, to uphold. Broader than **保养**, often used for abstract things like systems, order, or rights (e.g., 维护和平 - maintain peace). It can overlap in technical contexts but is less personal. |
| * [[养生]] (yǎngshēng) - Health regimen, to keep in good health, to nurture life. A specific and culturally rich term that is a core part of `保养身体`. It focuses on lifestyle and diet. | * [[养生]] (yǎngshēng) - To nurture life, a health regimen. A philosophy of health maintenance focusing on diet, lifestyle, and harmony with nature. It's the "why" and "how" behind a lot of physical **保养**. |
| * [[修理]] (xiūlǐ) - To repair, to fix. A more common and colloquial word for `维修`. You'd tell a friend "I need to get my bike an `修理`." | * [[保护]] (bǎohù) - To protect. To shield from immediate harm or damage. It's an action of defense, whereas **保养** is an action of cultivation. |
| * [[爱护]] (àihù) - To cherish, to treasure. Implies more emotion and affection. You `爱护` a pet, a child, or public property. You `保养` a car. | * [[爱护]] (àihù) - To cherish, to treasure. Implies a strong emotional affection for the person or object being cared for. You **爱护** your pet, which includes doing health **保养**. |
| * [[保健]] (bǎojiàn) - Healthcare, health protection. Often found in `保健品` (bǎojiànpǐn - health supplements), this term is specifically about health. | * [[护理]] (hùlǐ) - To nurse, care (for). Often used for specific, hands-on treatments, like 皮肤护理 (pífū hùlǐ - a skincare treatment) or in a medical nursing context. It refers to the specific actions of care, while **保养** is the overall concept and goal. |
| * [[护理]] (hùlǐ) - To nurse, to care for. Very common in medical contexts (caring for a patient) and also for beauty routines, where `皮肤护理` (pífū hùlǐ) is a near-synonym for `皮肤保养`. | |