bàofù: 抱负 - Aspiration, Ambition, Lofty Goal

• Keywords: 抱负, bàofù, baofu, Chinese for ambition, aspiration in Chinese, Chinese values, lofty goal, HSK 5, Chinese culture, realizing ambitions, what does baofu mean
• Summary: Learn the deep meaning of 抱负 (bàofù), a powerful Chinese word for a noble, long-term aspiration or ambition. This guide explores how bàofù is different from the English “ambition,” delving into its cultural significance, character origins, and practical usage in modern China. Perfect for learners who want to understand the values behind the language, this entry provides dozens of examples and clarifies common mistakes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bào fù
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A grand, long-term aspiration or ambition, usually with a positive and noble connotation.
• In a Nutshell: 抱负 (bàofù) isn't just a goal; it's a life's mission. It's the kind of ambition you “embrace” and “shoulder” as a responsibility. Think less of “getting a promotion” and more of “making a significant contribution to society.” It implies a serious, large-scale, and admirable life purpose that a person is determined to achieve.

• 抱 (bào): To hold, to carry in the arms, to embrace. This character combines the “hand” radical (扌) with 包 (bāo), which means “to wrap.” It vividly pictures the act of using your hands to hold something dear.
• 负 (fù): To bear a burden, to carry on one's back, to shoulder a responsibility. The original character showed a person (人) carrying a valuable shell (贝), representing a weight or responsibility.
• Together, 抱负 (bàofù) literally means “to embrace and to shoulder.” This beautifully illustrates the concept: you cherish an ideal in your arms (抱) while simultaneously carrying the weight and responsibility of making it a reality on your back (负).

In Chinese culture, personal ambition is often viewed through a collective lens. A worthy 抱负 (bàofù) is typically one that benefits not just the individual, but also their family, community, or even the nation. It is steeped in the Confucian value of contributing to a harmonious and prosperous society. A great way to understand 抱负 (bàofù) is to contrast it with the Western concept of “ambition.” In English, “ambition” can be neutral or even negative, sometimes implying ruthless or selfish desire (e.g., “his blind ambition led to his downfall”). 抱负, on the other hand, is almost exclusively positive and praiseworthy. It suggests a noble character and a grand vision. For example, a Westerner might say their ambition is “to become a millionaire.” While not inherently bad, this is a purely individualistic goal. A Chinese person expressing their 抱负 would more likely frame it as something like, “我的抱负是创办一家能改变人们生活的科技公司” (My aspiration is to found a tech company that can change people's lives). The focus is on the impact and contribution, which is a core element of 抱负.

抱负 is a relatively formal word. You'll hear it in serious discussions about life, careers, and ideals. It's not typically used in casual, everyday chit-chat.

• In Education and Career: Teachers often encourage students to have 抱负. Job interviews for leadership positions might include questions about one's professional 抱负. A common phrase is 有抱负 (yǒu bàofù), meaning “to have aspirations.”
• In Formal Speeches and Writing: Politicians, CEOs, and scholars use 抱负 to describe their vision or the grand goals of their organization or country.
• Describing People: It's a high compliment to describe someone, especially a young person, as 有抱负 (yǒu bàofù). It implies they are not just drifting through life but have a serious and admirable purpose. Conversely, 没有抱负 (méiyǒu bàofù) describes someone who lacks long-term goals and is content with mediocrity.

• Example 1:
  • 他是一个有抱负的年轻人，总想做一番大事业。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yī gè yǒu bàofù de niánqīngrén, zǒng xiǎng zuò yī fān dà shìyè.
  • English: He is a young man with great aspirations, always wanting to achieve something big.
  • Analysis: This is a classic use of 有抱负 (yǒu bàofù) to praise someone's ambitious character. 做一番大事业 (zuò yī fān dà shìyè) means “to build a great undertaking/career” and perfectly complements the meaning of 抱负.
• Example 2:
  • 我的抱负是成为一名能够帮助很多人的律师。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de bàofù shì chéngwéi yī míng nénggòu bāngzhù hěn duō rén de lǜshī.
  • English: My aspiration is to become a lawyer who can help many people.
  • Analysis: Here, the speaker uses 抱负 to state their own life goal. Notice the emphasis on helping others, which makes it a noble aspiration fitting for the word.
• Example 3:
  • 一个人即使失败了，也不应该放弃自己的抱负。
  • Pinyin: Yī gè rén jíshǐ shībài le, yě bù yīnggāi fàngqì zìjǐ de bàofù.
  • English: Even if a person fails, they should not give up on their aspirations.
  • Analysis: This sentence treats 抱负 as a core part of one's identity that should be held onto despite setbacks.
• Example 4:
  • 他空有抱负，却从不行动。
  • Pinyin: Tā kōng yǒu bàofù, què cóng bù xíngdòng.
  • English: He has empty aspirations but never takes action.
  • Analysis: The word 空 (kōng) means “empty” or “in vain.” This phrase, 空有抱负 (kōng yǒu bàofù), is a common criticism of someone who talks big but lacks the discipline to act.
• Example 5:
  • 这位科学家用一生实现了他年轻时的抱负。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi kēxuéjiā yòng yīshēng shíxiànle tā niánqīng shí de bàofù.
  • English: This scientist spent his entire life realizing the aspirations of his youth.
  • Analysis: This shows 抱负 as a lifelong pursuit. The verb 实现 (shíxiàn - to realize/achieve) is frequently paired with 抱负.
• Example 6:
  • 毕业后，他回到家乡，希望在这里施展自己的抱负。
  • Pinyin: Bìyè hòu, tā huídào jiāxiāng, xīwàng zài zhèlǐ shīzhǎn zìjǐ de bàofù.
  • English: After graduating, he returned to his hometown, hoping to realize his ambitions there.
  • Analysis: 施展抱负 (shīzhǎn bàofù) is a set phrase meaning “to put one's ambitions to use” or “to give full play to one's aspirations.” It implies having an opportunity and a place to achieve one's goals.
• Example 7:
  • 作为领导，他最大的抱负就是带领团队走向成功。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi lǐngdǎo, tā zuìdà de bàofù jiùshì dàilǐng tuánduì zǒuxiàng chénggōng.
  • English: As a leader, his greatest aspiration is to lead the team to success.
  • Analysis: This example highlights a 抱负 tied to one's role and responsibility towards a group.
• Example 8:
  • 他的父母希望他能成为一个有抱负、有担当的人。
  • Pinyin: Tā de fùmǔ xīwàng tā néng chéngwéi yī gè yǒu bàofù, yǒu dāndāng de rén.
  • English: His parents hope he can become a person with aspirations and a sense of responsibility.
  • Analysis: Here 抱负 is paired with 有担当 (yǒu dāndāng - to be responsible/accountable), reinforcing the idea that 抱负 is not just a dream but a duty one must shoulder.
• Example 9:
  • 因为缺乏远大的抱负，他满足于现状。
  • Pinyin: Yīnwèi quēfá yuǎndà de bàofù, tā mǎnzú yú xiànzhuàng.
  • English: Because he lacks grand aspirations, he is content with the status quo.
  • Analysis: 远大的抱负 (yuǎndà de bàofù) means “far-reaching and great aspirations.” This phrase emphasizes the grand scale of 抱负.
• Example 10:
  • 英雄的抱负不应该被时代的局限所束缚。
  • Pinyin: Yīngxióng de bàofù bù yīnggāi bèi shídài de júxiàn suǒ shùfù.
  • English: A hero's aspirations should not be constrained by the limitations of the era.
  • Analysis: This is a more literary and philosophical use of the word, elevating 抱负 to a timeless and powerful ideal.

• “抱负” vs. “Ambition”: The most common mistake is treating 抱负 (bàofù) as a direct equivalent of “ambition.” Remember, 抱负 is almost always positive and noble. To describe selfish, ruthless, or overly aggressive ambition, you should use the word 野心 (yěxīn), which literally means “wild heart.”
  • Correct: 他很有抱负，想改变世界。(He has great aspirations and wants to change the world.)
  • Incorrect: 他很有抱负，为了升职不择手段。(He has great aspirations, he'll do anything to get a promotion.) → Here, 野心 (yěxīn) would be more appropriate.
• “抱负” vs. “Goal” (目标 mùbiāo): Don't use 抱负 for small, short-term, or mundane goals. A 抱负 is a life-defining mission, whereas a 目标 (mùbiāo) is a target that can be big or small.
  • Correct: 我今年的目标是 HSK 考过五级。(My goal this year is to pass the HSK 5 test.)
  • Incorrect: 我今年的抱负是 HSK 考过五级。(My aspiration this year is to pass the HSK 5 test.) → This sounds overly dramatic and strange. Passing a test is a goal, not a life's mission.

• 理想 (lǐxiǎng) - Ideal; Dream. Very similar to 抱负, but can be more abstract or utopian. 抱负 implies more of a concrete sense of responsibility and action.
• 野心 (yěxīn) - Ambition (negative). The direct antonym in terms of connotation. It describes selfish or ruthless ambition.
• 志向 (zhìxiàng) - Aspiration; Ambition. A very close synonym and often interchangeable with 抱负. 志向 focuses slightly more on one's will or determination (志).
• 目标 (mùbiāo) - Goal; Target. A general term for any objective, large or small, short-term or long-term. A 抱负 is a very large, long-term 目标.
• 梦想 (mèngxiǎng) - Dream. Can be a fanciful wish or a realistic goal. 抱负 is a type of 梦想 that one is actively shouldering the responsibility to achieve.
• 前途 (qiántú) - Future; Prospects. Having 抱负 is considered essential for having a bright 前途.
• 事业 (shìyè) - Career; Undertaking; Cause. A person's 抱负 is often connected to the 事业 they wish to build.
• 实现 (shíxiàn) - To realize; To achieve; To bring to fruition. The verb most commonly used with 抱负, as in 实现抱负 (shíxiàn bàofù).