In 15 Seconds
- Used when you break something and need to pay for it.
- Combines 'losing money' with 'making things right' through payment.
- Common in both daily accidents and formal legal contracts.
Meaning
It's the act of paying someone back or making things right when you've caused damage, loss, or a bit of trouble. Think of it as the 'I'm sorry, let me pay for that' phrase.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a restaurant after breaking a glass
对不起，我会赔偿这个杯子的钱。
Sorry, I will compensate for the cost of this glass.
Discussing a car accident
保险公司会赔偿你的损失。
The insurance company will compensate you for your losses.
Texting a friend after losing their book
我把你的书弄丢了，我赔你一本新的吧。
I lost your book, let me compensate you with a new one.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'restitution' is deeply rooted in Chinese legal and social history, often preferred over punishment to maintain social harmony. Traditionally, settling disputes privately with a fair 'péicháng' was seen as more honorable than involving the authorities. Today, it remains the standard term used in everything from minor traffic scrapes to high-stakes corporate lawsuits.
The 'One Word' Shortcut
In very casual speech, you can drop the 'cháng' and just say 'péi'. It sounds more natural when you're joking with friends or in a hurry.
Don't 'Péicháng' Feelings
Avoid using this for emotional hurts. If you hurt someone's feelings, use '道歉' (apologize) or '补偿' (make it up to them). Using 'péicháng' makes it sound like you're trying to pay them to stop being sad.
In 15 Seconds
- Used when you break something and need to pay for it.
- Combines 'losing money' with 'making things right' through payment.
- Common in both daily accidents and formal legal contracts.
What It Means
赔偿 (péicháng) is all about restoration. If you break a friend's phone or lose a company laptop, you use this word. It covers both the money and the action of making someone whole again. It is more serious than just saying sorry. It implies a tangible or financial fix for a mistake.
How To Use It
Usually, you'll see it as a verb. You 赔偿 someone for a specific loss. For example, 赔偿损失 (compensate for losses) is a very common pairing. You can also use it as a noun. In that case, it refers to the actual money paid. Keep it simple: [Person A] + 赔偿 + [Person B] + [Amount/Item].
When To Use It
Use this when there is a clear 'victim' and 'offender.' It fits perfectly at a car accident scene. Use it if you spill wine on a stranger's expensive coat. It’s also the standard term in business contracts for 'damages.' If a delivery driver breaks your package, this is the word you need.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use 赔偿 for emotional favors. If you miss a date, don't say you'll 赔偿 her. That sounds like you're trying to buy her off! Use 补偿 (bǔcháng) for emotional or time-based 'making up.' Also, don't use it for simple trades. It’s for fixing a wrong, not buying a snack.
Cultural Background
In China, 'face' is huge. Offering to 赔偿 immediately can actually save a relationship. It shows you take responsibility. In the past, community mediation often focused on fair 赔偿 rather than going to court. It's about restoring harmony through a fair exchange. Even today, a quick offer to pay for a broken bowl at a restaurant shows great character.
Common Variations
索赔 (suǒpéi) is when you are the one asking for the money. 理赔 (lǐpéi) is what insurance companies do when they process a claim. If you want to be more casual, you might just say 赔 (péi). For example, 赔我手机! (Pay for my phone!). It’s punchier and a bit more aggressive.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and very versatile. It becomes formal when you add '金' (money) or '责任' (responsibility) to it, but stays casual when shortened to just '赔'.
The 'One Word' Shortcut
In very casual speech, you can drop the 'cháng' and just say 'péi'. It sounds more natural when you're joking with friends or in a hurry.
Don't 'Péicháng' Feelings
Avoid using this for emotional hurts. If you hurt someone's feelings, use '道歉' (apologize) or '补偿' (make it up to them). Using 'péicháng' makes it sound like you're trying to pay them to stop being sad.
The Power of the Offer
In China, even if the other person says 'it's okay,' making a sincere offer to 'péicháng' is a vital social lubricant that prevents future resentment.
Examples
6对不起，我会赔偿这个杯子的钱。
Sorry, I will compensate for the cost of this glass.
A polite way to take responsibility for a small accident.
保险公司会赔偿你的损失。
The insurance company will compensate you for your losses.
Standard professional use regarding insurance.
我把你的书弄丢了，我赔你一本新的吧。
I lost your book, let me compensate you with a new one.
Casual use between friends; '赔' is used as a verb here.
你吃了我的蛋糕，快赔偿我！
You ate my cake, compensate me now!
Using a serious word for a trivial thing creates a funny effect.
公司必须向员工支付赔偿金。
The company must pay compensation to the employees.
Refers to the 'compensation fund' (赔偿金) in a formal setting.
无论如何，我们都会承担赔偿责任。
No matter what, we will take responsibility for the compensation.
Shows high level of accountability in a serious situation.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about a broken window.
我不小心打破了窗户，我会___你的。
Since a window was broken, you need to 'compensate' (赔偿) the owner.
Which word fits best in a formal insurance claim context?
保险公司拒绝了我的___要求。
Insurance claims are specifically about 'compensation' (赔偿).
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Péicháng'
Just using '赔' for small things with friends.
赔我一个苹果！
Standard daily use for accidents.
我会赔偿损失。
Legal or business contexts.
支付违约赔偿金。
When to reach for 'Péicháng'
Car Scratches
Paying for repairs.
Broken Items
Dropping a friend's vase.
Business Contracts
Late delivery penalties.
Lost Belongings
Losing a borrowed umbrella.
Practice Bank
2 exercises我不小心打破了窗户，我会___你的。
Since a window was broken, you need to 'compensate' (赔偿) the owner.
保险公司拒绝了我的___要求。
Insurance claims are specifically about 'compensation' (赔偿).
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions赔偿 is for when you did something wrong or caused damage. 补偿 (bǔcháng) is more about 'balancing' things out, like a company giving you extra money for working on a holiday.
Yes, but it sounds very cold. For pets, it's better to focus on finding them or saying 对不起. Using 赔偿 for a living thing can sound like you view them as just property.
Mostly, yes. It usually implies a financial payment or replacing the item with an identical one of the same value.
You can say 请问，您可以赔偿我的损失吗？ (Excuse me, could you compensate me for my loss?). It’s firm but polite.
If you broke company equipment, yes. It shows you are professional and willing to fix the mistake. 我会赔偿公司的损失。
It means 'compensation money.' The suffix 金 (jīn) refers to money or funds, often used in legal or insurance contexts.
No, that's not a 'loss' in the 赔偿 sense. Just say 抱歉 (bàoqiàn) for being late or missing the time.
Yes, it usually appears around the HSK 4 or 5 level, but the concept is simple enough for A2 learners to use in daily life.
Not necessarily. It's a neutral, factual word. However, if someone shouts 赔钱! (péiqián!), they are angry and demanding money.
No, you would use 得到赔偿 (receive compensation). The person who caused the trouble is the one who 赔偿.
Related Phrases
补偿
To make up for / supplement (less about fault)
赔钱
To lose money in business / to pay for damages
道歉
To apologize
损失
Loss / damage
理赔
To settle an insurance claim
