Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== biǎoyáng: 表扬 - To Praise, To Commend ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** biǎoyáng, 表扬, praise in Chinese, commend in Chinese, how to say praise in Mandarin, Chinese word for commend, commendation, public praise, Chinese workplace culture, HSK 4 vocabulary, 表扬 vs 夸, 表扬 vs 称赞 * **Summary:** Learn the meaning, usage, and cultural significance of **表扬 (biǎoyáng)**, the essential Chinese verb for "to praise" or "to commend." This guide explains how **表扬** is used in formal settings like the workplace and school, how it differs from other words for praise like [[夸]] (kuā) and [[称赞]] (chēngzàn), and why it's a key concept in understanding Chinese social dynamics. Master this HSK 4 word with practical examples and cultural insights. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** biǎo yáng * **Part of Speech:** Verb * **HSK Level:** 4 * **Concise Definition:** To praise or commend someone publicly for their actions or achievements, typically from a position of authority. * **In a Nutshell:** **表扬 (biǎoyáng)** isn't just a casual "good job." It's a more formal, often public, act of recognition. Think of a teacher praising a student in front of the class, or a manager commending an employee in a team meeting. The praise is meant to highlight positive behavior and set an example for others. It carries a sense of official approval from a superior to a subordinate. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **表 (biǎo):** This character means "surface," "to show," or "to express." It originally depicted an outer garment, representing what is shown on the outside. * **扬 (yáng):** This character means "to raise," "to lift up," or "to spread." Imagine raising a flag or spreading good news for all to see and hear. * When combined, **表扬 (biǎoyáng)** literally means "to express and raise up." This paints a vivid picture of publicly acknowledging someone's good deeds and elevating their status as a positive example. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Chinese culture, praise, especially from an authority figure, is a significant social act. **表扬 (biǎoyáng)** is central to this dynamic. Unlike the frequent and often informal praise in Western cultures ("Awesome job!", "You're a rockstar!"), **表扬** is more deliberate and carries more weight. It's an important tool for maintaining social harmony and reinforcing group values. A manager who **表扬**s an employee for working overtime is not just complimenting the individual; they are signaling to the entire team that this behavior is valued by the collective. This connects directly to the concept of **[[面子]] (miànzi) - "face"** or social prestige. To be publicly **表扬**ed gives a person a great deal of `miànzi`. Conversely, public [[批评]] (pīpíng - criticism) causes a loss of face. This system of public praise and criticism is a fundamental way that behavior is managed in schools, companies, and even government institutions. It's less about individual encouragement and more about reinforcing a standard for the group. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **表扬** is primarily used in hierarchical contexts where a superior praises a subordinate. * **In the Workplace:** A boss **表扬**s an employee or a team for meeting a target or showing great initiative. This often happens in a meeting or via a formal email. * ''"The CEO publicly commended our department."'' (CEO **表扬**了我们部门。) * **In School:** A teacher **表扬**s a student for getting a good grade, helping a classmate, or being well-behaved. This is almost always done in front of the class to set an example. * ''"The teacher praised Xiao Ming in class."'' (老师在课上**表扬**了小明。) * **Official/Formal Contexts:** The government or an organization might **表扬** a "model citizen" or a heroic individual. This can be accompanied by a certificate or award. The written form is a **[[表扬信]] (biǎoyángxìn)**, a "letter of commendation." The word is almost never used between friends or peers for casual compliments. For that, you would use [[夸]] (kuā). ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 老师当着全班同学的面**表扬**了我。 * Pinyin: Lǎoshī dāngzhe quán bān tóngxué de miàn **biǎoyáng** le wǒ. * English: The teacher praised me in front of the whole class. * Analysis: This is a classic example. The praise is public (`当着...的面 - in front of...`) and comes from an authority figure (teacher). * **Example 2:** * 他因为工作努力，受到了老板的**表扬**。 * Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi gōngzuò nǔlì, shòudào le lǎobǎn de **biǎoyáng**. * English: He received praise from the boss because of his hard work. * Analysis: The structure `受到...的表扬 (shòudào...de biǎoyáng)` means "to receive praise from..." It's a very common passive construction with this word. * **Example 3:** * 这次项目成功，我们团队得到了公司的公开**表扬**。 * Pinyin: Zhè cì xiàngmù chénggōng, wǒmen tuánduì dédào le gōngsī de gōngkāi **biǎoyáng**. * English: Our team received a public commendation from the company for the success of this project. * Analysis: Here, **表扬** is used as a noun ("a commendation"). `得到 (dédào)` is similar to `受到 (shòudào)` and means "to get" or "to obtain." * **Example 4:** * 不要只是批评孩子，也需要适当地**表扬**他们。 * Pinyin: Búyào zhǐshì pīpíng háizi, yě xūyào shìdàng de **biǎoyáng** tāmen. * English: Don't just criticize children; you also need to praise them appropriately. * Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts **表扬** with its antonym, [[批评]] (pīpíng - to criticize), highlighting its role in education and parenting. * **Example 5:** * 公司决定**表扬**那些在疫情期间做出贡献的员工。 * Pinyin: Gōngsī juédìng **biǎoyáng** nàxiē zài yìqíng qījiān zuòchū gòngxiàn de yuángōng. * English: The company decided to commend those employees who made contributions during the pandemic. * Analysis: Shows a formal, official decision to praise. This is a very typical corporate or institutional use of the word. * **Example 6:** * 他写的这封**表扬**信，让那位好心的司机非常感动。 * Pinyin: Tā xiě de zhè fēng **biǎoyáng**xìn, ràng nà wèi hǎoxīn de sījī fēicháng gǎndòng. * English: This letter of commendation he wrote deeply moved that kind-hearted driver. * Analysis: This example introduces the compound noun [[表扬信]] (biǎoyángxìn), a formal letter of praise. * **Example 7:** * 你觉得经理会**表扬**我们吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ juéde jīnglǐ huì **biǎoyáng** wǒmen ma? * English: Do you think the manager will praise us? * Analysis: A simple question form, showing anticipation of formal praise in a workplace setting. * **Example 8:** * 他的行为值得**表扬**。 * Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi zhídé **biǎoyáng**. * English: His actions are worthy of praise. * Analysis: The structure `值得 (zhídé) + Verb` means "is worth doing." This implies that the actions meet a standard deserving of formal commendation. * **Example 9:** * 虽然他没有被口头**表扬**，但公司给了他一笔奖金。 * Pinyin: Suīrán tā méiyǒu bèi kǒutóu **biǎoyáng**, dàn gōngsī gěi le tā yī bǐ jiǎngjīn. * English: Although he wasn't verbally praised, the company gave him a bonus. * Analysis: This highlights that **表扬** is often a verbal or written act, which can be separate from a tangible [[奖励]] (jiǎnglì - reward/bonus). `口头 (kǒutóu)` means "oral" or "verbal." * **Example 10:** * 小时候，我很少得到父亲的**表扬**。 * Pinyin: Xiǎoshíhou, wǒ hěn shǎo dédào fùqīn de **biǎoyáng**. * English: When I was little, I rarely received praise from my father. * Analysis: This shows **表扬** in a family context, but it still implies a more formal kind of praise from a figure of authority (the father), rather than casual, affectionate compliments. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The biggest mistake for learners is using **表扬** for any and all types of praise. It's crucial to understand its formal, top-down connotation. * **表扬 (biǎoyáng) vs. 夸 (kuā):** * **表扬:** Formal, for actions/work, superior -> subordinate. (A boss **表扬**s an employee). * **[[夸]] (kuā):** Informal, for anything (looks, skills, food), used between anyone (friends, peers). * **Incorrect:** ~~你的新发型很漂亮，我要**表扬**你！~~ (Nǐ de xīn fàxíng hěn piàoliang, wǒ yào **biǎoyáng** nǐ!) * **Correct:** 你的新发型很漂亮，我要**夸**你！(Nǐ de xīn fàxíng hěn piàoliang, wǒ yào **kuā** nǐ!) - I want to praise/compliment your new hairstyle! * **表扬 (biǎoyáng) vs. 称赞 (chēngzàn):** * This is a subtler distinction. **[[称赞]] (chēngzàn)** is also a verb for "to praise" and can be used more broadly than **表扬**. * **表扬** emphasizes public recognition of behavior to set an example. It's about meeting a standard. * **称赞** is more about expressing admiration for a quality or achievement. It can be used between equals and is less tied to a hierarchical structure. You can **称赞** an artist's skill, but you would rarely **表扬** it unless you were their teacher or patron. * Think of **表扬** as "to commend" and **称赞** as "to praise/acclaim." ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[夸]] (kuā) - To praise informally; to compliment. The best choice for casual praise between friends. * [[称赞]] (chēngzàn) - To praise or acclaim. More general than `表扬` and less restricted by hierarchy. * [[批评]] (pīpíng) - The direct antonym: to criticize, usually in a formal or serious manner. * [[奖励]] (jiǎnglì) - To reward, often with a tangible item like money or a prize. A `奖励` often follows a `表扬`. * [[表扬信]] (biǎoyángxìn) - A formal letter of commendation. * [[赞美]] (zànměi) - To praise, often in a more literary, admiring, or emotional way (e.g., to praise nature, beauty, or a heroic spirit). * [[榜样]] (bǎngyàng) - A role model; an example for others to follow. Someone who is `表扬`-ed often becomes a `榜样`. * [[优点]] (yōudiǎn) - A merit, a strong point, a virtue. The reason someone receives a `表扬`. * [[鼓励]] (gǔlì) - To encourage. This is about motivating someone for the future, whereas `表扬` is about recognizing a past action.