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B1 verb 7 min read

表彰

biao3 zhang1

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 表彰 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 表彰 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '表彰' (biǎozhāng) yet. It is too formal. Instead, you should focus on simple words like '好' (hǎo - good) or '谢谢' (xièxiè - thank you). If you want to say someone did a good job, you can say '你做得很好' (nǐ zuò de hěn hǎo). '表彰' is like saying 'The President of the United States officially commends you,' which is way too complex for a beginner! Just remember that in Chinese, there are very special words for very special honors.

At the A2 level, you might start hearing '表彰' (biǎozhāng) in simple stories or news clips. You should recognize that it means something like 'praise' but in a very official way. For example, if a school gives a prize to a student, they might use this word. You can stick to '表扬' (biǎoyáng) for now, which is the common word for 'to praise.' Think of '表彰' as the 'big brother' of '表扬'—it's more serious and usually involves a ceremony or a certificate.

As a B1 learner, you should be able to use '表彰' (biǎozhāng) in specific contexts, especially when discussing work or social issues. You should know the common pattern '受到表彰' (shòudào biǎozhāng - to receive commendation). If you are writing about a hero or a successful employee, using '表彰' instead of just '表扬' will make your Chinese sound much more professional and accurate. It shows you understand that some types of praise are formal and public.

At the B2 level, you should master the nuances between '表彰' (biǎozhāng), '奖励' (jiǎnglì), and '嘉奖' (jiājiǎng). You should be able to explain why a certain person was commended using formal language. For example, you might write: '为了表彰他在环保方面的杰出贡献...' (To commend his outstanding contributions to environmental protection...). You should also be comfortable using it as a noun, such as in '表彰大会' (commendation ceremony). Your usage should reflect an understanding of Chinese institutional culture.

At the C1 level, '表彰' (biǎozhāng) should be a natural part of your formal vocabulary. You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures and understand its role in administrative and political discourse. You might analyze how 'biǎozhāng' is used as a tool for social engineering or morale-boosting in state-owned enterprises. You should also be familiar with related idioms or four-character phrases that often accompany commendations, and be able to use the word in high-level writing without sounding repetitive.

For C2 learners, '表彰' (biǎozhāng) is a tool for precise expression. You can use it to discuss the historical evolution of honors and awards in China, from the imperial system to the modern socialist merit system. You understand the subtle political weight the word carries and can use it in speeches or academic papers to describe the mechanisms of public recognition. You can distinguish between the '表彰' of an individual versus a 'collective' (集体 jítǐ) and discuss the socio-psychological impact of such public honors.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

表彰 in 30 Seconds

A formal verb meaning to honor or commend someone publicly for their achievements.
Commonly used in government, corporate, and educational settings for official awards.
Usually involves a ceremony, certificate, or public announcement to set an example.
Differs from casual praise by its institutional nature and emphasis on public manifestation.

The Chinese verb 表彰 (biǎozhāng) is a high-register term that translates to 'to commend,' 'to honor,' or 'to cite for public recognition.' Unlike casual praise (like 夸奖 kuājiǎng), which might happen between friends or family over a meal, biǎozhāng implies a formal, public, and often institutional act of recognition. It is the word used when a government, a large corporation, or a school officially recognizes someone's outstanding contributions or heroic deeds. The character 表 (biǎo) means to show or to manifest on the surface, while 彰 (zhāng) means bright, clear, or manifest. Together, they describe the act of bringing someone's hidden virtues or hard work into the bright light of public awareness.

Institutional Context: You will most frequently encounter this word in official news broadcasts or corporate announcements. For example, when the 'Model Worker' awards are given in China, the term used is always 表彰. It suggests that the person being honored serves as an example for the rest of society.
Formal Recognition: It is not just about saying 'well done.' It involves a 'commendation' which usually includes a certificate, a medal, or a public ceremony. It is the language of meritocracy and collective values.

政府决定对这些抗疫英雄进行公开表彰。(The government decided to publicly commend these anti-epidemic heroes.)

In modern Chinese society, biǎozhāng carries a heavy weight of 'honor' (荣誉 róngyù). When a person is 'biǎozhāng-ed,' it often affects their social standing or career trajectory. It is commonly used in the phrase 受到表彰 (shòudào biǎozhāng), meaning 'to receive commendation.' This passive structure is very common because the act of honoring is usually performed by a higher authority upon an individual.

他在大会上受到了隆重的表彰。(He received a grand commendation at the conference.)

Comparison with '奖励' (jiǎnglì): While jiǎnglì focuses on the reward itself (money, prizes, etc.), biǎozhāng focuses on the spiritual and public honor. You can be jiǎnglì-ed with a bonus, but you are biǎozhāng-ed for your integrity or exceptional service.

公司每年都会表彰优秀员工。(The company commends outstanding employees every year.)

Using 表彰 (biǎozhāng) correctly requires understanding its formal syntax. It is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object—the person or group being honored. However, it is frequently paired with nouns that describe the occasion or the reason for the honor.

The 'Authority-Recipient' Pattern: The most common structure is: [Authority] + 表彰 + [Recipient]. For example, 'The school (authority) commends the student (recipient).'

学校表彰了在比赛中获奖的学生。(The school commended the students who won prizes in the competition.)

Another frequent usage involves the preposition 为 (wèi) or 为了 (wèile) to explain the reason for the commendation. For example, 'In order to commend his bravery...' would be 为了表彰他的勇敢.... This sets a formal tone for the sentence.

为了表彰他的杰出贡献，政府颁发了奖章。(To commend his outstanding contributions, the government awarded a medal.)

Passive Usage: In Chinese, passive structures often use 受到 (shòudào). So, 'He was commended' becomes 'He received commendation' (他受到了表彰). This is more natural in spoken Chinese than using the 'bèi' (被) construction.

这些先进个人应当受到社会的表彰。(These advanced individuals should be commended by society.)

When describing the scale of the commendation, we often use adverbs like 隆重 (lóngzhòng - grandly) or 公开 (gōngkāi - publicly). These emphasize the visibility of the honor, which is central to the meaning of biǎozhāng.

市长亲自表彰了那位救人的少年。(The mayor personally commended that young man who saved a life.)

If you are watching the evening news (新闻联播 Xīnwén Liánbō) in China, you will hear 表彰 (biǎozhāng) almost every week. It is a fundamental part of the vocabulary used to describe the relationship between the state and its citizens. Whenever a scientist makes a breakthrough, a soldier performs a brave act, or a teacher dedicates forty years to a rural school, the state will biǎozhāng them.

In the Workplace: During the 'Annual Meeting' (年会 niánhuì) of a Chinese company, there is usually a segment dedicated to biǎozhāng. The CEO might stand on stage and say, 'We are here to biǎozhāng the top sales team of the year.' It is a moment of high morale and collective pride.

年会的一个重要环节是表彰优秀员工。(An important part of the annual meeting is commending outstanding employees.)

In schools, biǎozhāng is used during Monday morning flag-raising ceremonies. Students who have won academic competitions or shown exemplary behavior are called to the front to be biǎozhāng-ed. This is often accompanied by a 'Certificate of Merit' (奖状 jiǎngzhuàng).

学校举行了盛大的表彰大会。(The school held a grand commendation ceremony.)

News Headlines: You will see headlines like 'State Council to Commend Advanced Units' (国务院表彰先进集体). This type of language is formal (书面语 shūmiànyǔ) and conveys a sense of official approval and authority.

媒体广泛报道了这次表彰活动。(The media widely reported this commendation activity.)

While 表彰 (biǎozhāng) is a powerful word, it is easy to misuse if you don't respect its formality. The most common mistake is using it in casual, everyday contexts where it sounds unnaturally stiff or even sarcastic.

Over-Formality: If a friend helps you carry a suitcase, you should say xièxiè or nǐ zhēn bàng. If you say 'I want to biǎozhāng you,' it sounds like you are a government official speaking to a subordinate. It is too heavy for small favors.

Incorrect: 妈妈表彰我帮她洗碗。(Mom commended me for helping her wash dishes.)
Correct: 妈妈夸奖我懂事。(Mom praised me for being sensible.)

Another mistake is confusing biǎozhāng with 奖励 (jiǎnglì). As mentioned before, jiǎnglì is about the reward. If you want to say 'The winner got $100,' use jiǎnglì. If you want to say 'The winner was honored for his spirit,' use biǎozhāng. You can use them together: 'The company biǎozhāng-ed him and gave him a jiǎnglì of 5000 yuan.'

Confusing with '表扬' (biǎoyáng): Biǎoyáng is a middle-ground word. It is more formal than kuājiǎng but less formal than biǎozhāng. Teachers biǎoyáng students in class daily. The principal biǎozhāng-s students during the annual ceremony. Using biǎozhāng for minor daily achievements is a common learner error.

我们不该把平时的表扬误认为正式的表彰。(We shouldn't mistake daily praise for formal commendation.)

To truly master 表彰 (biǎozhāng), you must understand its neighbors in the semantic field of 'praise and reward.' Each word has a specific 'flavor' and level of formality.

表扬 (biǎoyáng) - To Praise: This is the most versatile word. It can be used by teachers, parents, or bosses. It is positive but doesn't necessarily involve a medal or a public ceremony. It is the 'everyday' version of commendation.
奖励 (jiǎnglì) - To Reward: Focuses on the incentive or the prize. If there is money or a gift involved, jiǎnglì is usually the better word. You jiǎnglì someone to encourage them to keep doing well.
嘉奖 (jiājiǎng) - To Award/Commend: Even more formal than biǎozhāng. It is often used in military or high-level government contexts. It implies a high degree of merit and a very formal citation.

部队首长对他进行了通令嘉奖。(The military leader issued a general order to commend him.)

When you want to contrast these, think of a ladder of formality: 夸奖 (casual) → 表扬 (standard) → 表彰 (formal/public) → 嘉奖 (official/military). Choosing the right one shows your sensitivity to Chinese social hierarchy and context.

虽然他得到了奖励，但他更看重精神上的表彰。(Although he received a reward, he values the spiritual commendation more.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, 'biǎozhāng' might involve the Emperor granting a special plaque (匾额 biǎné) to be hung over a family's door to show their loyalty or filial piety.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /biːˈaʊ dʒæŋ/

US /biːˈaʊ dʒæŋ/

The stress is balanced between both syllables, but the third tone on 'biǎo' makes it feel slightly longer.

Rhymes With

张 (zhāng) 章 (zhāng) 光 (guāng) 忙 (máng) 强 (qiáng) 洋 (yáng) 商 (shāng) 场 (chǎng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zhāng' as 'zāng' (missing the 'h' sound).
Using the wrong tone for 'biǎo' (e.g., 4th tone 'biào').
Confusing 'zhāng' (1st tone) with 'zhǎng' (3rd tone).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and formal texts, but the characters are distinct.

Writing 4/5

Writing '彰' (zhāng) correctly requires attention to stroke order and components.

Speaking 3/5

The word is easy to pronounce but requires correct tone management.

Listening 3/5

Easily recognizable in formal broadcasts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

好老师奖表扬公司

Learn Next

嘉奖荣誉勋章称号先进

Advanced

褒奖荣膺追授颁发

Grammar to Know

The Passive with '受到' (shòudào)

他受到了公司的表彰。

The Purpose Clause with '为了' (wèile)

为了表彰他的功绩，我们举行了这次会议。

Transitive Verb Usage

政府表彰了抗洪英雄。

Noun Compounds

表彰大会将于明天举行。

Adverbial Modification

他被隆重地表彰了。

Examples by Level

他是好学生。

He is a good student.

Simple Subject + Verb + Adjective + Noun

老师说他很好。

The teacher said he is very good.

Simple reported speech.

谢谢你的帮助。

Thank you for your help.

Common polite expression.

我喜欢这个奖。

I like this prize.

Subject + Verb + Object.

他很快乐。

He is very happy.

Subject + Adverb + Adjective.

这是我的证书。

This is my certificate.

Demonstrative pronoun + Verb + Noun.

大家都很高兴。

Everyone is very happy.

Collective subject.

你真棒！

You are really great!

Exclamatory sentence.

老师表扬了我。

The teacher praised me.

Verb '表扬' is standard for praise.

他得到了一个奖状。

He got a certificate of merit.

Verb '得到' means to obtain.

学校给他开了会。

The school held a meeting for him.

Simple event description.

我们要学习他的精神。

We should learn from his spirit.

Modal verb '要' + '学习'.

他是一个勇敢的人。

He is a brave person.

Attributive adjective.

大家都为他鼓掌。

Everyone clapped for him.

Preposition '为' meaning 'for'.

他的工作很努力。

His work is very hard (He works hard).

Possessive + Noun + Adjective.

他受到了老师的表扬。

He received praise from the teacher.

Passive-like structure with '受到'.

公司表彰了优秀员工。

The company commended outstanding employees.

Formal verb '表彰' used in business context.

他在会上受到了表彰。

He was commended at the meeting.

The passive '受到...表彰' is very common.

政府决定表彰这些英雄。

The government decided to commend these heroes.

Verb phrase '决定表彰'.

这次表彰大会很隆重。

This commendation ceremony is very grand.

Noun compound '表彰大会'.

他因为表现出色而受到表彰。

He was commended because of his excellent performance.

Structure '因为...而...'.

我们需要表彰这种行为。

We need to commend this kind of behavior.

Abstract object '这种行为'.

全校师生都参加了表彰会。

All teachers and students attended the commendation meeting.

Collective subject '全校师生'.

他是受到表彰的先进个人。

He is an advanced individual who was commended.

Relative clause with '的'.

为了表彰他的杰出贡献，公司奖励了他十万元。

To commend his outstanding contribution, the company rewarded him with 100,000 yuan.

Purpose clause '为了表彰...'.

该报纸详细报道了表彰先进事迹的过程。

The newspaper reported the process of commending advanced deeds in detail.

Formal vocabulary like '事迹' (deeds).

受到表彰的人员名单已经公布了。

The list of commended personnel has already been announced.

Passive participle used as an adjective.

表彰先进、树立典型是我们的传统。

Commending the advanced and setting up role models is our tradition.

Parallel verb phrases acting as a subject.

他因多次见义勇为而受到市里的表彰。

He was commended by the city for many acts of bravery.

Formal phrase '见义勇为' (acting bravely for justice).

表彰活动激发了员工的工作热情。

The commendation activities stimulated the employees' enthusiasm for work.

Causative structure.

这种表彰形式深受大家欢迎。

This form of commendation is very popular with everyone.

Passive structure '深受...欢迎'.

有关部门将对他进行公开表彰。

Relevant departments will publicly commend him.

Formal future tense with '将'.

此次隆重的表彰仪式旨在弘扬社会正气。

This grand commendation ceremony aims to promote social integrity.

High-level verb '旨在' (aims to).

通过表彰先进集体，我们增强了团队凝聚力。

By commending advanced collectives, we strengthened team cohesion.

Prepositional phrase '通过...'.

表彰不应流于形式，而应注重实质激励。

Commendation should not be a mere formality but should focus on substantive incentives.

Structure '不应...而应...'.

他荣膺国家最高科学技术奖，受到了全国的表彰。

He won the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award and was commended by the whole country.

Advanced verb '荣膺' (to win an honor).

地方政府对在抗洪救灾中表现突出的个人予以表彰。

Local governments gave commendations to individuals who performed outstandingly in flood relief.

Formal construction '予以表彰'.

表彰机制的完善有助于构建长效激励体系。

The improvement of the commendation mechanism helps to build a long-term incentive system.

Abstract administrative language.

那些默默无闻的奉献者也应当得到应有的表彰。

Those unsung contributors should also receive the commendation they deserve.

Idiom '默默无闻' (unknown to the public).

表彰大会上，先进代表的发言感人至深。

At the commendation meeting, the speech by the representative of the advanced was deeply moving.

Adverbial phrase '感人至深'.

国家勋章和国家荣誉称号的颁授，是对功勋模范人物最崇高的表彰。

The awarding of national medals and honorary titles is the highest commendation for exemplary figures of merit.

Complex noun phrases and formal titles.

表彰先进不仅是对个人的肯定，更是对核心价值观的生动诠释。

Commending the advanced is not only an affirmation of the individual but also a vivid interpretation of core values.

Philosophical and ideological discourse.

建立健全功勋荣誉表彰制度，对于增强民族自豪感具有深远意义。

Establishing and improving the system of merit honors and commendations has profound significance for enhancing national pride.

Legalistic and policy-oriented language.

在历史的长河中，对忠义之士的表彰一直是维系社会道德的重要手段。

In the long course of history, the commendation of loyal and righteous people has always been an important means of maintaining social morality.

Historical analysis.

表彰名单的遴选过程极其严苛，确保了荣誉的权威性与公信力。

The selection process for the commendation list is extremely rigorous, ensuring the authority and credibility of the honors.

Precise vocabulary like '遴选' and '公信力'.

这种跨国界的表彰活动，极大地促进了文化交流与国际友谊。

This cross-border commendation activity has greatly promoted cultural exchange and international friendship.

International relations context.

对科研人员的表彰，应当与其科研成果的社会效益相挂钩。

The commendation of researchers should be linked to the social benefits of their research results.

Passive-conditional structure '应当与...相挂钩'.

表彰话语的建构反映了特定历史时期社会导向的变迁。

The construction of commendation discourse reflects changes in social orientation during specific historical periods.

Academic linguistic analysis.

Common Collocations

表彰大会

受到表彰

公开表彰

予以表彰

表彰先进

隆重表彰

表彰对象

集体表彰

表彰名额

通报表彰

Common Phrases

表彰先进集体

— To honor a group or team for their combined excellence.

该部门被评为年度表彰先进集体。

获得表彰

— To receive an official commendation or honor.

他在工作中多次获得表彰。

进行表彰

— To carry out the act of commending someone.

我们将对表现突出的个人进行表彰。

表彰会

— A shorter term for an awards or commendation meeting.

表彰会定在明天下午举行。

表彰奖励

— The combined act of honoring and giving a tangible reward.

完善表彰奖励制度非常重要。

全省表彰

— A provincial-level commendation, indicating high significance.

该项目获得了全省表彰。

国家级表彰

— The highest level of honor in China, given by the central government.

他曾获得过国家级表彰。

表彰文件

— The official document or decree that announces the commendation.

领导签发了表彰文件。

表彰名单

— The list of people or groups being honored.

请核对一下表彰名单。

予以通令表彰

— A very formal military or police term for a general order of commendation.

公安部对他予以通令表彰。

Often Confused With

表彰 vs 表扬 (biǎoyáng)

Biǎoyáng is general praise; Biǎozhāng is formal/public commendation.

表彰 vs 奖励 (jiǎnglì)

Jiǎnglì focuses on the prize/reward; Biǎozhāng focuses on the honor.

表彰 vs 表现 (biǎoxiàn)

Biǎoxiàn means 'performance'; Biǎozhāng is the 'commendation' for that performance.

Idioms & Expressions

"表彰先进"

— To honor the best to encourage others.

表彰先进，鞭策后进。

Formal

"见义勇为"

— To act bravely for a just cause; often the reason for 'biǎozhāng'.

他因见义勇为受到表彰。

Formal

"功不可没"

— One's contributions cannot be overlooked; a justification for commendation.

他在项目中功不可没，理应受到表彰。

Idiom

"名不虚传"

— To have a well-deserved reputation.

他这次受到表彰，真是名不虚传。

Idiom

"实至名归"

— Fame follows merit; perfectly suited for someone receiving a 'biǎozhāng'.

他获得表彰是实至名归。

Idiom

"大张旗鼓"

— On a grand scale; often used to describe how a 'biǎozhāng' is done.

学校大张旗鼓地表彰了优秀学生。

Idiom

"受之无愧"

— To deserve the honor one receives.

对他进行的表彰，他受之无愧。

Idiom

"众望所归"

— To enjoy the support of the people; used for a popular choice for an award.

他被表彰是众望所归。

Idiom

"流芳百世"

— To leave a good name for a hundred generations.

这种表彰能让英雄的事迹流芳百世。

Literary

"名垂青史"

— To have one's name go down in history.

国家级的表彰往往能让人名垂青史。

Literary

Easily Confused

表彰 vs 表扬

Both mean praise.

Biǎoyáng is common for daily life (teachers to kids); biǎozhāng is for official, high-level recognition.

老师表扬他写字漂亮，但市里表彰他救人的英雄事迹。

表彰 vs 奖励

Both involve giving something positive.

Jiǎnglì is the 'reward' (money/gifts); biǎozhāng is the 'honor' (public recognition).

公司表彰了他，并奖励了他一笔奖金。

表彰 vs 嘉奖

Both are formal commendations.

Jiājiǎng is even more formal, often military or high-level government 'citations'.

他在战场上的英勇表现受到了全军嘉奖。

表彰 vs 称号

Often given during a commendation.

Chēnghào is the 'title' (e.g., 'Model Worker'); biǎozhāng is the 'act' of honoring.

他受到了表彰，并获得了'先进工作者'的称号。

表彰 vs 赞扬

Both mean to speak well of someone.

Zànyáng is more about expressing admiration; biǎozhāng is an institutional procedure.

全世界都赞扬他的研究，但只有他的国家正式表彰了他。

Sentence Patterns

Subject + 受到 + 表彰

小明受到了学校的表彰。

Organization + 表彰 + Person

公司表彰了王经理。

为了表彰 + Reason, + Action

为了表彰他的勇敢，市里奖励了他。

Subject + 因 + Reason + 而受到表彰

他因成绩优异而受到表彰。

对 + Recipient + 予以表彰

对这些志愿者应予以表彰。

表彰 + Recipient + 的 + Virtue/Deed

表彰他那种无私奉献的精神。

建立 + 表彰 + 制度/机制

政府正在建立完善的表彰制度。

Noun + 表彰 + 仪式/大会 + 旨在 + Purpose

此次表彰仪式旨在弘扬正能量。

Word Family

Nouns

表彰大会 (Commendation ceremony)

表彰证书 (Commendation certificate)

Verbs

表彰 (To commend)

Adjectives

受到表彰的 (Commended)

表扬 (Praise)

奖励 (Reward)

荣誉 (Honor)

称号 (Title)

嘉奖 (Award)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in news, corporate culture, and education.

Common Mistakes

Using '表彰' for daily small praise. → Use '表扬' or '夸奖'.
'表彰' is too formal for telling a friend they look good.
Saying '我表彰你'. → Say '我表扬你' or '你真棒'.
'表彰' usually comes from an organization or authority, not an equal.
Confusing '表彰' with '奖励' for money prizes. → Use '奖励' for the money part.
'表彰' is the honor; '奖励' is the prize.
Writing '彰' without the '章' part correctly. → Ensure the right side is '彡'.
The character '彰' has a specific structure that is easily messed up.
Using '表彰' for negative things (sarcasm). → Avoid unless you are very fluent.
Sarcasm in a foreign language is risky; 'biǎozhāng' is usually very sincere.

Tips

Pair with '受到'

The most natural way to say someone was honored is '他受到了表彰'.

Model Culture

Understand that 'biǎozhāng' is part of China's 'model' culture, where individuals are used to inspire the masses.

Formal Synonyms

In essays, try using '予以表彰' to increase the formal tone of your writing.

News Keywords

When you hear 'biǎozhāng', expect to hear words like '先进' (advanced) and '杰出' (outstanding) soon after.

Tone Accuracy

Make sure the 3rd tone of 'biǎo' is low and dipping, followed by the high 1st tone of 'zhāng'.

Character Practice

Practice the radical '彡' in '彰'; it represents feathers or hair, often used in words related to light or appearance.

Manifesting Virtue

Remember the meaning 'to make bright' to help you remember that 'biǎozhāng' is about public visibility.

Workplace etiquette

If your Chinese boss 'biǎozhāng-s' you, respond with humility (e.g., '这是我应该做的').

HSK/BCT Tip

This word often appears in business or advanced proficiency exams in reading comprehension sections.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'biǎo' as a 'watch' or 'surface' (like 仪表 yíbiǎo) and 'zhāng' as a 'chapter' (章 zhāng). You are putting a person's story (chapter) on the surface for everyone to see.

Visual Association

Imagine a bright spotlight (彰) shining on a stage (表) where a hero is receiving a medal.

Word Web

Honor Public Ceremony Medal Hero Model Government Certificate

Challenge

Try to find a news article from Xinhua or People's Daily containing '表彰' and translate the reason for the honor.

Word Origin

The term '表彰' dates back to ancient Chinese texts. '表' (biǎo) originally referred to the outer garment, later meaning to show or manifest. '彰' (zhāng) means bright or obvious.

Original meaning: To make someone's virtues or deeds clearly visible to the public.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use 'biǎozhāng' for trivial things, as it can sound patronizing or sarcastic.

The English equivalent 'to commend' or 'to cite' is also formal, but 'biǎozhāng' carries a stronger sense of being a 'social role model' than English praise usually does.

The annual 'Touching China' (感动中国) awards are a prime example of national 'biǎozhāng'. National Medals (国家勋章) awarded on the 70th anniversary of the PRC. Lei Feng, the most famous 'biǎozhāng-ed' soldier in Chinese history.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Workplace Annual Meeting

优秀员工
杰出贡献
奖金
颁奖

Government News

先进个人
英雄事迹
授予称号
弘扬精神

School Assembly

三好学生
奖状
鼓励
榜样

Military Commendation

立功
嘉奖
英勇
勋章

Community Service

志愿者
无私奉献
感谢信
荣誉证书

Conversation Starters

"你曾经在公司或学校受过表彰吗？"

"你认为什么样的行为最值得政府表彰？"

"在你的国家，通常如何表彰那些英雄人物？"

"你觉得表彰大会这种形式对激励员工有效吗？"

"如果我们要表彰一个对社区有贡献的人，你会选谁？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你受到表彰的经历，当时你有什么感受？

如果你是市长，你会如何表彰那些在灾难中互相帮助的市民？

讨论一下精神上的表彰（如荣誉）和物质上的奖励（如金钱）哪个更重要。

写一封信，建议你的公司表彰一位你认为工作极其出色的同事。

分析为什么社会需要通过表彰来树立榜样。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually no, unless it's a very formal context like a school-wide award ceremony. For daily praise, use '表扬' or '夸奖'.

Biǎozhāng is formal, institutional, and public. Biǎoyáng is general, can be private, and is used for smaller achievements.

Yes, it functions as a passive construction meaning 'to be commended.' It is more common than using the 'bèi' particle.

It means a 'commendation ceremony' or 'awards assembly' where many people are honored at once.

Yes, it can mean 'commendation' as a noun, e.g., '精神表彰' (spiritual commendation).

Yes, though '嘉奖' (jiājiǎng) is also very common in military contexts for specific citations.

You would say '月度优秀员工' and they would be '受到表彰' (commended) at a meeting.

Not necessarily. It focuses on the honor. If money is included, the word '奖励' is often used alongside it.

Yes, you can '表彰先进集体' (commend an advanced collective/team).

The official opposite is '处分' (chǔfèn - to discipline/punish officially).