保重
bǎozhòng
The English phrase "be well" is expressed in Mandarin as 保重 (bǎozhòng).
保重 is used during a parting or a farewell to wish someone good health and safety. It is not used as a general greeting like "hello".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 保重 is composed of 保 (bǎo), meaning "to protect/keep" and 重 (zhòng), meaning "heavy/important". It literally means to protect one's important health or well-being.
Which one should you use?
While English speakers might use "take care" casually, 保重 is more serious. It is often used when expressing genuine concern for someone's health or safety during a period of separation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
保重 is a formal phrase that carries more weight than common casual parting phrases. It is often used when someone is departing for a long time or is unwell. For a formal way to say "Wish you good health", you can also use 祝你身体健康.
How do you pronounce it?
bǎozhòng
Did you know?
- Because 保重 carries such a weighty tone, many people prefer to use more casual phrases like 慢走 (màn zǒu), which literally means 'walk slowly', to wish someone a safe departure.
- The character 重 in 保重 is pronounced zhòng, meaning 'heavy' or 'important', but in other contexts it can be pronounced chóng, meaning 'again' or 'repeated'.
- In Chinese cinema and literature, 保重 is often used as a narrative trope to signal a poignant or permanent farewell between characters.
Examples in context
- 我祝你身体健康，事业蒸蒸日上。I wish you good health and a thriving career.
- 好久不见，保重身体。Long time no see, take care of yourself.
- 你要多保重。Nǐ yào duō bǎozhòng.You should take good care of yourself.
- 天冷了，请多保重。Tiān lěng le, qǐng duō bǎozhòng.It's getting cold, please take care.
- 一路平安，多保重。Yílù píng'ān, duō bǎozhòng.Have a safe trip and be well.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang is seeing Yuting off at the airport.
- 志强 Zhiqiang到了记得给我打电话。Dàole jìde gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.Call me when you arrive.
- 雨婷 Yuting好的，我会的。Hǎo de, wǒ huì de.Okay, I will.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你要多保重。Yǔtíng, nǐ yào duō bǎozhòng.Yuting, please take care of yourself.
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢，你也要保重。Xièxiè, nǐ yě yào bǎozhòng.Thank you, you take care too.
