Explanation at your level:
You use this word to tell people big news. If you win a game, you might announce it to your friends. It means to speak clearly so everyone hears the news.
When a teacher says 'Class starts now,' they are announcing the start of the lesson. It is used for official news that everyone needs to know.
Use this when you have an official update. It is common in business, like when a company announces a new product. It makes the information feel more serious.
This word is perfect for formal settings. It is often used by leaders or organizations to communicate decisions. It implies a sense of responsibility and public duty.
In advanced contexts, it can be used for legal or political declarations. It carries weight and implies that the speaker is establishing a new status quo or fact.
Mastery of this word involves understanding the nuance of authority. It is used in literature to describe a character making a life-changing proclamation that alters the course of the story.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means to make a public statement.
- Used in formal and professional contexts.
- Requires an object or clause.
- Not for casual or private conversation.
When you announce something, you are sharing information with the public or a specific group. Think of it as moving news from a private space into a public one. It is a very intentional act.
You might announce a winner of a contest, a new policy at work, or a change in plans. It implies that the information is now official and everyone should be aware of it. It is not just casual chatting; it carries a sense of importance and authority.
The word 宣布 comes from ancient Chinese roots. 'Xuān' (宣) originally meant to spread or diffuse, often referring to imperial decrees or light shining through a space. 'Bù' (布) originally meant cloth, but evolved to mean 'to spread out' or 'to distribute' like laying out fabric.
Historically, this combination was used when an emperor or official would literally 'spread' their words across the land. It captures the image of a message being unfolded and shared with the masses, much like unrolling a scroll.
You use 宣布 in formal or semi-formal settings. It is common in journalism, business meetings, and government settings. You wouldn't usually use it for telling a friend what you had for lunch.
Common collocations include 宣布结果 (announce the results) or 宣布独立 (declare independence). It is a high-register word that commands attention and signals that the speaker is delivering a significant update.
While '宣布' is a direct verb, it is part of many phrases. 1. 宣布破产: To declare bankruptcy. 2. 宣布戒严: To declare martial law. 3. 宣布无效: To declare something null and void. 4. 宣布开幕: To declare a ceremony open. 5. 宣布辞职: To announce one's resignation.
As a verb, 宣布 is transitive, meaning it usually takes an object (what is being announced). It can be followed by a noun phrase or a clause. In Mandarin, it is a standard two-syllable verb that does not change form based on tense.
The pronunciation is 'shwen-boo'. The 'xuān' has a high, level tone, while 'bù' has a falling tone, giving the word a sense of finality and strength.
Fun Fact
Originally used for imperial edicts.
Pronunciation Guide
High level tone then falling tone.
Clear articulation of both characters.
Common Errors
- Mixing up the tones
- Slurring the 'xu' sound
- Adding extra syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common in news
Standard
Formal
Clear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Subject-Verb-Object
他宣布了决定。
Use of 了
他宣布了。
Adverb placement
正式宣布
Examples by Level
老师宣布考试开始。
Teacher announces exam starts.
Subject + Verb + Object
他宣布了消息。
He announced the news.
Simple past action
公司宣布放假。
Company announces holiday.
Organization as subject
他们宣布结婚了。
They announced they are married.
Verb + clause
主席宣布会议结束。
Chairman announces meeting over.
Formal setting
政府宣布新政策。
Government announces new policy.
Formal noun object
裁判宣布比赛结果。
Referee announces game result.
Specific role
他宣布辞职了。
He announced he quit.
Personal decision
队长宣布了新的计划。
学校宣布明天停课。
她宣布自己要搬家了。
市长宣布城市重建项目。
我们宣布比赛正式开始。
经理宣布了奖金方案。
他宣布了一个重要决定。
警方宣布抓到了嫌疑人。
联合国宣布了新的和平协议。
公司宣布将进行裁员。
法官宣布判决结果。
他宣布放弃这次竞争。
组织宣布了慈善活动的日期。
发言人宣布了总统的行程。
学校宣布取消了校外活动。
媒体宣布了获奖名单。
国家宣布进入紧急状态。
专家宣布了最新的研究成果。
委员会宣布了最终的候选人。
他宣布彻底退出政坛。
公司宣布了并购意向。
政府宣布了减税政策。
会议主持人宣布了议程变动。
俱乐部宣布了转会消息。
该国宣布单方面撤军。
科学界宣布了突破性的发现。
他宣布将毕生精力投入研究。
董事会宣布了重大的战略调整。
政府宣布实施更严格的法规。
组织宣布了全球性的倡议。
她宣布不再参与任何公开活动。
法庭宣布了针对该公司的裁决。
他宣布了对旧体制的彻底决裂。
历史学家宣布了这一遗迹的发现。
该机构宣布了对未来的愿景。
他宣布了这项极具争议的决定。
政府宣布了对该地区的封锁。
该品牌宣布了其环保承诺。
他宣布了对艺术界的新贡献。
最终，他宣布了这一悲剧性的消息。
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"宣布告吹"
To announce that something has failed
谈判宣布告吹。
neutral"宣布就职"
To announce one's start in a position
新市长宣布就职。
formal"宣布撤资"
To announce withdrawal of funds
投资者宣布撤资。
business"宣布停火"
To announce a ceasefire
双方宣布停火。
formal"宣布解散"
To announce the disbanding of a group
乐队宣布解散。
neutral"宣布封禁"
To announce a ban
平台宣布封禁该账号。
digitalEasily Confused
Both mean to release info
发布 is for products/data
发布新报告 vs 宣布结果
Both start with 宣
宣读 is specifically to read out loud
宣读文件
Very similar meaning
宣告 is more solemn/grand
宣告死亡
Both involve telling
通知 is for informing someone directly
通知某人
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 宣布 + Object
他宣布了消息。
Subject + 正式 + 宣布 + Object
公司正式宣布了计划。
Subject + 宣布 + Clause
他宣布他要辞职。
Subject + 向 + Person + 宣布 + Object
他向大家宣布了决定。
Subject + 宣布 + Noun Phrase
政府宣布新政策。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
宣布 is for public, not private.
宣布 is for decisions/events.
It needs a target.
Too formal for friends.
Standard word order.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place a scroll in your 'Public' room.
Native Context
Use it in meetings.
Cultural Insight
Linked to imperial power.
Grammar Shortcut
Always add an object.
Say It Right
Watch the tones.
Avoid Slang
Don't use it for gossip.
Did You Know?
Means 'spread cloth'.
Study Smart
Read news headlines.
Professionalism
Use it for business.
Sentence Building
Subject-Verb-Object.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a town crier unrolling a scroll (布) and shouting (宣) the news.
Visual Association
A megaphone broadcasting news.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about things you would announce.
Word Origin
Chinese
Original meaning: Spread and distribute
Cultural Context
Used with gravity in political contexts.
Equivalent to 'announce' or 'declare'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 宣布新项目
- 宣布会议开始
- 宣布人事变动
In politics
- 宣布独立
- 宣布戒严
- 宣布新法案
In sports
- 宣布比赛结果
- 宣布转会
- 宣布退役
In school
- 宣布考试日期
- 宣布放假
- 宣布获奖名单
Conversation Starters
"你最近听到的最重要的宣布是什么？"
"如果你是总统，你会宣布什么新政策？"
"你觉得公司宣布裁员时应该怎么做？"
"你喜欢在公开场合宣布好消息吗？"
"你有没有经历过学校宣布停课的时刻？"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to announce something important.
Describe a fictional world where people only announce things through song.
If you could announce one change to the world, what would it be?
Reflect on why it is important for leaders to announce decisions clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, very.
Yes, if it's official.
No, Mandarin uses particles like '了'.
They overlap but '发布' is for data/products.
No.
No, it is a verb.
Think of a public proclamation.
Yes, in professional settings.
Test Yourself
校长___了新的校规。
宣布 is the correct verb for official news.
Which is best for an official announcement?
宣布 is the formal choice.
Is '宣布' used for telling a secret to one person?
It is for public announcements.
Word
Meaning
Common collocations.
Subject + Adv + Verb + Object.
What does it mean to '宣布无效'?
Legal term.
Can '宣布' be used in a casual text to a friend?
It is too formal.
法官___判决结果。
Formal context.
Which word is a synonym for '宣布'?
宣告 is a formal synonym.
He announced the resignation decision.
Score: /10
Summary
宣布 is the go-to verb for making important, official, and public statements.
- Means to make a public statement.
- Used in formal and professional contexts.
- Requires an object or clause.
- Not for casual or private conversation.
Memory Palace
Place a scroll in your 'Public' room.
Native Context
Use it in meetings.
Cultural Insight
Linked to imperial power.
Grammar Shortcut
Always add an object.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More academic words
缺席
B1The state of being absent from a place or event where one is expected to be, such as a class, meeting, or ceremony.
抽象的
A2Abstract.
抽象地
B1In an abstract manner; conceptually.
艰深
B1Profound; abstruse; recondite.
学术性
A2Academic; scholarly; relating to education and scholarship.
学术化
B1Academic; characterized by formal study or research.
学术会议
A2Academic conference; a formal meeting for academic discussions.
学术交流
B1Exchange of ideas, information, and research among scholars.
学术期刊
B1A periodical publication containing scholarly articles.
教务处
A2Academic affairs office; department handling educational administration.
