How to Say "Reward" in Chinese

奖励

jiǎnglì

The English word reward is translated into Chinese as 奖励 (jiǎnglì).

奖励 is typically used when a reward is given to encourage positive behavior or performance.

Meaning: prize promised for a certain deed or catch (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of 奖, meaning prize or award and 励, meaning to encourage or stimulate.

While 奖励 is a general term for any kind of reward, 奖金 specifically refers to a reward in the form of money or a bonus.

奖励 can function as both a noun (a reward) and a verb (to reward).

jiǎnglì

In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 奖励 is often balanced by the idea of 'face' (面子), where a public reward is more valued for the social prestige it grants than the material prize itself.
While 奖励 focuses on encouragement, Chinese uses a different term 赏金 (shǎngjīn) for 'bounties' on criminals or fugitives.
Chinese distinguishes between a reward for merit 奖励 and a reward given as a gift or grace 赏赐 (shǎngcì), the latter of which was historically reserved for emperors giving to subjects.

他有权得到奖励。
He is entitled to receive the reward.
This sentence shows how someone might be entitled to receive a 奖励.
Tatoeba #9959101 by GlossaMatik, translation #291268 by CK
他被奖励了一块金表。
He was given a gold watch as a reward.
This sentence demonstrates how someone can be given a specific item as a 奖励.
Tatoeba #1883541 by fercheung, translation #303643 by CK
他因为优异的成绩而得到了奖励。
He received a reward for his excellent performance.
我非常满意你的工作，这是你应得的报酬。
I am very satisfied with your work, this is your well-deserved reward.
这场比赛的冠军将获得丰厚的奖品。
The champion of this competition will receive generous rewards.
他因为在公司的出色表现而得到了一笔丰厚的奖金。
He received a substantial cash reward for his excellent performance at the company.
政府提供了丰厚的奖励。
Zhèngfǔ tígōngle fēnghòu de jiǎnglì.
The government provided a generous reward.

Two colleagues are discussing a competition at work.

晓雯 Xiaowen

这次比赛的奖励是什么？
Zhè cì bǐsài de jiǎnglì shì shénme?
What is the reward for this competition?
浩然 Haoran

冠军可以得到一万元奖励。
Guànjūn kěyǐ dédào yī wàn yuán jiǎnglì.
The champion can receive a ten thousand yuan reward.
晓雯 Xiaowen

浩然，你想参加吗？
Hàorán, nǐ xiǎng cānjiā ma?
Haoran, do you want to participate?
浩然 Haoran

我想试试看。
Wǒ xiǎng shì shì kàn.
I want to give it a try.

Sources

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