Usage of 饱
饱 primarily means 'to be full after eating.' It is commonly used to express that someone has eaten enough and does not want more food. For example, 我吃饱了 means 'I am full.'
Besides its literal meaning, 饱 can also be used metaphorically to describe being 'satisfied' or 'filled' in non-food contexts, such as knowledge or emotions. For instance, 知识的渴望永远不会饱 means 'the thirst for knowledge will never be satisfied.'
Common Collocations
- 吃饱 (chī bǎo): to eat until full, the most frequent collocation.
- 饱了肚子 (bǎo le dùzi): literally 'full stomach,' emphasizing physical fullness.
- 心满意足 (xīn mǎn yì zú) often pairs with 饱 to express satisfaction beyond just food.
Notes
饱 is often contrasted with 饿 (è), meaning 'hungry.' When expressing fullness, 饱 is straightforward and neutral in tone. Avoid confusing 饱 with 饥 (jī), which is a more literary or formal word for hunger.
饱 usually appears after verbs like 吃 (to eat) or in descriptive phrases about state or condition.