保重
bǎozhòng
In Chinese, 'take care' can be translated in several ways depending on the context. If unsure, use 保重 (bǎozhòng). Wiktionary also lists 好走 (hǎozǒu) and 小心 (xiǎoxīn).
Meaning: good-bye (intj)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 保重 | bǎozhòng |
| 好走 | hǎozǒu |
| 小心 | xiǎoxīn |
保重 is used when parting ways to wish someone well-being. 好走 is a parting phrase specifically for someone departing on a journey or leaving a location, meaning 'travel safely'. 小心 is used to tell someone to be cautious or careful.
Which one should you use?
保重 functions as a formal wish for someone to take care of their health or long-term well-being. In contrast, 好走 is a colloquial way to say 'have a safe trip' or 'go safely' to someone who is currently departing.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
bǎozhòng
Did you know?
- When using 保重, you are literally wishing someone to 'preserve the weight' of their body, as the character 重 refers to weight or heaviness.
- While English speakers often use 'take care' as a casual sign-off, using the formal 保重 with a close friend or sibling might actually feel strangely distant or overly dramatic.
- While 好走 sounds like a friendly wish for a safe trip, using it when you are the one leaving can sound like you are telling the other person to leave, which can be awkward or rude.
Examples in context
- 小心着凉啊！Take care not to catch a cold.This sentence uses 小心 to warn someone to be careful not to catch a cold.Tatoeba #826542 by jessie0422, translation #63729 by CK
- 保重。Take care.This sentence uses 保重 to say take care.Tatoeba #1762971 by sadhen, translation #20362 by TATAR1
- 过马路时小心.Take care when you cross the street.This sentence uses 小心 to advise caution when crossing a street.Tatoeba #1399736 by sirpoot, translation #280496 by CK
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At the airport before a long trip.
- 梓涵 Zihan到了那边要多保重。Dào le nàbiān yào duō bǎozhòng.Take good care of yourself once you get there.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我会的，你也保重。Wǒ huì de, nǐ yě bǎozhòng.I will, you take care too.
- 梓涵 Zihan一路平安。Yílù píng'ān.Have a safe trip.
- 志强 Zhiqiang谢谢，再见。Xièxiè, zàijiàn.Thank you, goodbye.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “take care” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
