At the A1 level, '赋予' (fùyǔ) is quite advanced. However, you can think of it as a 'super-formal give'. Usually, at this level, you only learn '给' (gěi) for giving things like apples or books. '赋予' is used for things you cannot touch, like a name or a basic right. Imagine a king giving a name to a land; that is like '赋予'. Even though you might not use it yet, knowing that Chinese has different words for 'giving' things you can touch versus things you can't touch is a great start. In A1, just remember: if it's a 'big' or 'special' kind of giving, Chinese might use a different word. '赋予' is for giving things like 'meaning' or 'power'. For example, '赋予生命' means 'to give life'. It's a very poetic and serious word. You won't use it to talk about giving a pencil to your classmate. It's better to use '给' for that. But if you see '赋予' in a story, it means someone is getting something very important that isn't an object.
By A2, you are starting to see more formal words. '赋予' (fùyǔ) is a verb that means 'to give' but only for abstract things. At this level, you might encounter it in simple texts about rights or nature. For instance, '大自然赋予我们资源' (Nature gives us resources). Here, 'resources' (资源) is an abstract concept of what nature provides. You can't just hand 'nature' to someone, so we use '赋予'. Another common use is '赋予意义' (giving meaning). If you do something helpful, you '赋予' your time with meaning. It's a way to make your Chinese sound more mature. Instead of saying '给权利' (give rights), saying '赋予权利' (endow rights) makes you sound much more like a native speaker. Just remember the structure: [Giver] + 赋予 + [Receiver] + [Abstract Thing]. It's a very stable pattern. Don't use it for physical gifts like birthday presents! That's a common mistake for A2 students.
At the B1 level, you should start actively using '赋予' (fùyǔ) in your writing and formal speaking. This word is essential for discussing topics like law, society, and personal development. You'll often see it in the context of '赋予权力' (empowering or granting power). For example, '经理赋予了员工决策的权力' (The manager gave the employees the power to make decisions). This is a classic B1-level sentence. It shows you can handle professional concepts. Another key usage is '赋予使命' (to entrust with a mission). If you are writing an essay about your goals, you might say '时代赋予了我们保护环境的使命' (The era has given us the mission to protect the environment). Notice how '赋予' makes the sentence sound more serious and significant. It implies that the responsibility comes from a high level. You should also be aware of the passive form: '被赋予' (to be endowed with). '我们被赋予了自由' (We were given/endowed with freedom). This is a very common structure in news and formal literature.
For B2 learners, '赋予' (fùyǔ) is a core vocabulary item for academic and professional fluency. You need to distinguish it from similar words like '给予' (jǐyǔ) and '授予' (shòuyǔ). While '给予' is for providing help or support, '赋予' is for bestowing inherent qualities or legal status. You should use it when discussing how abstract concepts are defined. For example, '作者赋予了笔下的人物鲜明的个性' (The author endowed the characters in the book with vivid personalities). This is a sophisticated way to describe creative work. In a B2 level discussion about law, you might say '这项法案赋予了少数群体更多的保障' (This bill granted minority groups more protections). At this level, you should also be comfortable using '赋予' in metaphorical ways, such as '赋予老旧建筑新的生命' (giving new life to old buildings). This shows you understand the 'transformative' nuance of the word—it's not just handing something over; it's changing the nature of the recipient by adding a new dimension to it.
At the C1 level, your use of '赋予' (fùyǔ) should reflect a deep understanding of its philosophical and legal weight. You will encounter it in complex texts about constitutional law, existentialism, and cultural sociology. For instance, you might analyze how '社会赋予了性别特定的角色' (society endows genders with specific roles). Here, '赋予' is used to describe the construction of social identity. You should also be able to use it in highly formal speeches or academic papers. A C1 student might write: '通过对他者的关怀,我们赋予了自身存在以道德深度' (Through care for others, we endow our own existence with moral depth). This demonstrates an ability to use '赋予' to link abstract philosophical concepts. You should also recognize its use in classical-style modern prose, where it might appear alongside other high-register vocabulary. Understanding the subtle difference between '赋予' and '赐予' (which has a more religious or 'benevolent gift' feel) is also expected at this level. '赋予' is the standard for institutional and natural grants, while '赐予' is for divine or royal favors.
At the C2 level, '赋予' (fùyǔ) is a tool for precise and nuanced expression in the highest levels of discourse. You should be able to appreciate its use in the most complex legal documents and literary masterpieces. For example, in a discussion on legal philosophy, you might explore the concept of '天赋人权' (natural rights) and how it differs from rights '赋予' by the state. You can use '赋予' to describe the most subtle shifts in meaning or status. For instance, '在特定的历史语境下,这个符号被赋予了截然不同的政治含义' (In a specific historical context, this symbol was endowed with completely different political meanings). Your usage should be flawless, avoiding any confusion with concrete 'giving' and using it to weave together complex abstract ideas. You might also encounter it in historical analysis, discussing how different eras '赋予' historical figures with various reputations. At this level, '赋予' is not just a word for 'giving'; it is a word for the fundamental act of defining, empowering, and creating value within a system of thought or a legal framework.

赋予 in 30 Seconds

  • 赋予 (fùyǔ) is a formal verb meaning 'to endow' or 'to bestow' abstract qualities, rights, or missions.
  • It is strictly used for non-physical objects like power (权力), meaning (意义), or life (生命).
  • The word is common in legal, political, academic, and literary contexts to denote a significant grant.
  • It follows the pattern Giver + 赋予 + Recipient + Object, and is often seen in the passive '被赋予'.

The Chinese verb 赋予 (fùyǔ) is a high-level, formal term that translates to 'to endow,' 'to entrust,' or 'to bestow.' Unlike the simple word '给' (gěi - to give), which is used for physical objects like a pen or money, 赋予 is almost exclusively reserved for abstract concepts, qualities, rights, or missions. When you use this word, you are describing a process where a higher authority, nature, history, or a creative force grants something significant to a person or an entity. It carries a sense of gravity and purpose. For example, a constitution 'endows' citizens with rights, or a writer 'endows' a character with a specific personality. It is a 'top-down' action where the giver is often an abstract force or a formal institution.

Formal Bestowal
This refers to the act of granting legal or official powers. In political and legal contexts, you will frequently hear about how the law '赋予' certain powers to the government or rights to the people. It is not a casual transaction but a foundational grant.
Abstract Qualities
In literature and art, '赋予' is used to describe giving life, meaning, or soul to something. An artist might '赋予' a piece of stone with life through their sculpture. This usage highlights the transformative power of the giver.

宪法赋予了公民言论自由的权利。(The constitution endows citizens with the right to freedom of speech.)

Understanding the nuance of 赋予 requires recognizing its weight. If you use it to describe giving a friend a birthday present, it would sound hilariously over-dramatic or even incorrect. It is used when the 'gift' is something that changes the nature or the capability of the recipient. In modern business, a leader might '赋予' (empower) their team with the responsibility to make decisions. This highlights the trust and the transfer of authority involved in the word's meaning.

时代赋予了我们新的使命。(The era has entrusted us with a new mission.)

Furthermore, 赋予 is often used in philosophical discussions about the meaning of life. One might argue that life has no inherent meaning, but we '赋予' (give/endow) it meaning through our actions and choices. This usage is common in psychological and existential contexts in Chinese. It implies an active role in defining the value of an object or an experience.

Granting Authority
When a manager gives a subordinate the power to sign contracts, they are '赋予'ing them with that specific authority.

这件作品被赋予了深刻的象征意义。(This work has been endowed with deep symbolic meaning.)

In summary, 赋予 is a bridge between the tangible and the intangible. It takes an actor (the giver) and a recipient, and transfers a non-physical asset that is of high value. Whether it is a right, a duty, a characteristic, or a sense of purpose, the act of 赋予 is one of significance and often permanence.

大自然赋予了这片土地丰富的资源。(Nature has endowed this land with rich resources.)

我们必须赋予教育更多的创新精神。(We must endow education with more spirit of innovation.)

Mastering 赋予 (fùyǔ) involves understanding its specific grammatical structure and the types of objects it typically takes. The most common pattern is Subject + 赋予 + Indirect Object (Recipient) + Direct Object (Abstract Concept). Unlike many English verbs where you 'give something to someone,' in Chinese with 赋予, the recipient usually comes immediately after the verb.

Pattern 1: Bestowing Rights or Power
In legal or organizational contexts, the subject is often a law, a document, or a superior. The object is a right (权利) or power (权力).

法律赋予了警察搜查的权力。(The law endows the police with the power to search.)

Notice how the 'police' (recipient) comes before 'the power' (the thing given). This is a rigid structure for this verb. You cannot say '赋予权力给警察' in standard formal Chinese; it is almost always '赋予警察权力'.

Pattern 2: Endowing with Meaning or Spirit
When discussing art, philosophy, or branding, the object is often 'meaning' (意义), 'soul' (灵魂), or 'spirit' (精神).

设计师赋予了这件衣服独特的时尚感。(The designer endowed this piece of clothing with a unique sense of fashion.)

In this example, the designer is the active agent who transforms a physical object (clothing) by giving it an abstract quality (fashion sense). This illustrates the creative aspect of the word.

每个人都被赋予了生存的权利。(Everyone has been endowed with the right to survive.)

Another frequent usage is '赋予...生命' (to give life to). This can be literal (nature giving life) or metaphorical (an actor giving life to a role). It implies a deep, transformative bestowal.

Pattern 3: Entrusting with a Task
The object can be a 'mission' (使命), 'responsibility' (责任), or 'task' (任务).

历史赋予了我们这一代人艰巨的任务。(History has entrusted our generation with a difficult task.)

In this sense, 赋予 implies that the task is not just a chore, but a significant duty that comes from a grander context. It elevates the importance of the work being done.

他的演讲赋予了听众极大的信心。(His speech endowed the audience with great confidence.)

这首诗赋予了秋天一种忧伤的色彩。(This poem endows autumn with a melancholic color.)

You will encounter 赋予 (fùyǔ) in several specific high-register environments in China. Because of its formal and abstract nature, it is a staple of news broadcasts, political documents, academic papers, and sophisticated literature. It is not a word you would typically use while buying vegetables at a market, but you would hear it in a CEO's speech or read it in a philosophical essay.

News and Politics
In China, official discourse often uses 赋予 to discuss rights and duties. When the government announces a new policy, they might say the policy '赋予' certain groups new benefits or responsibilities. It sounds authoritative and legitimate.

人民赋予了政府管理国家的权力。(The people endowed the government with the power to manage the country.)

This specific phrase is common in political science and official media, emphasizing the source of power. It creates a sense of a social contract.

Academic and Philosophical Writing
Scholars use 赋予 when discussing how meaning is constructed. In sociology, you might read about how society '赋予' certain roles to different genders. In literary criticism, you'll see how an author '赋予' symbols with complex meanings.

人类文明赋予了自然界人文价值。(Human civilization has endowed the natural world with humanistic value.)

In a professional workplace, 赋予 is used during performance reviews or strategy meetings. A manager might talk about '赋予员工更大的空间' (giving employees more room/autonomy) or '赋予品牌新的内涵' (giving the brand a new connotation). It elevates the conversation from simple tasks to strategic growth.

科技进步赋予了生活无限的可能。(Technological progress has endowed life with infinite possibilities.)

You will also see this word in advertising for high-end products. A luxury watch might be described as being '赋予' with the spirit of craftsmanship. This usage aims to make the product feel more than just a physical object—it makes it a vessel for abstract values.

Artistic Expression
Critics use it to describe the 'soul' of a performance. '这位演员赋予了角色灵魂' (This actor gave the character a soul).

音乐赋予了电影更强的情感张力。(Music endows the film with stronger emotional tension.)

In summary, 赋予 is the language of significance. It is used when the speaker wants to emphasize that what is being given is not just a thing, but a meaningful attribute that defines or empowers the receiver.

教育的本质是赋予学生独立思考的能力。(The essence of education is to endow students with the ability to think independently.)

While 赋予 (fùyǔ) is a powerful word, it is frequently misused by learners who treat it as a direct synonym for 'give' (给). Because Chinese has many words for 'giving' (e.g., 给予, 授予, 赠送, 交给), understanding the boundaries of 赋予 is crucial for sounding natural and professional.

Mistake 1: Using it for Concrete Objects
This is the most common error. You cannot '赋予' someone a physical item. For example, saying '我赋予他一本书' (I endowed him a book) is incorrect. You should use '给' or '送'. 赋予 requires an abstract object like a right, a meaning, or a quality.

Incorrect: 老师赋予了我一个作业。(The teacher endowed me a homework.)
Correct: 老师布置了我一个作业。(The teacher assigned me a homework.)

Even if the homework is 'important,' it is still a concrete task, not an abstract endowment like 'wisdom' or 'authority'.

Mistake 2: Confusing with '授予' (shòuyǔ)
'授予' and '赋予' look similar and both mean 'to give' in a formal way. However, '授予' is usually used for awards, degrees, or formal titles in a ceremony. '赋予' is used for innate qualities, legal rights, or abstract meanings. You '授予' a medal (奖章), but you '赋予' a mission (使命).

Incorrect: 大学赋予了他博士学位。(The university endowed him a PhD degree.)
Correct: 大学授予了他博士学位。(The university conferred a PhD degree upon him.)

Another subtle mistake is the word order. In English, we can say 'Endow someone with something.' In Chinese, 赋予 does not use a preposition like 'with' (用/以) in the same way. It is simply 赋予 + Someone + Something. Adding extra prepositions often makes the sentence clunky or ungrammatical.

Mistake 3: Informal Overuse
Using 赋予 in casual conversation can make you sound like you're reading a textbook. If you're telling a friend you're giving them a chance, use '给个机会' (gěi gè jīhuì) rather than '赋予机会' (fùyǔ jīhuì), unless you are trying to be intentionally humorous or very serious.

Awkward:赋予你洗碗的任务。(I endow you the task of washing dishes.)
Natural: 这次轮到你洗碗了。(It's your turn to wash dishes.)

Finally, watch out for the homophone '赋于'. While sometimes used interchangeably in older texts, modern standard Chinese prefers '赋予' for the verb 'to endow'. '赋于' is rarely used in modern contexts and usually appears in very specific classical structures.

生命被赋予了多重含义。(Life has been endowed with multiple meanings.)

Chinese has several verbs that translate to 'give' or 'grant,' and choosing the right one depends on the formality, the object, and the 'direction' of the giving. Here is a breakdown of how 赋予 (fùyǔ) compares to its closest synonyms.

赋予 (fùyǔ) vs. 给予 (jǐyǔ)
赋予: Focuses on bestowing rights, missions, or abstract qualities. It feels like an endowment from a higher power or authority.
给予: Also formal, but more general. It can be used for help (帮助), support (支持), or attention (关注). It doesn't necessarily imply a 'top-down' grant; it's more about providing something needed.

政府给予灾区人民大力支持。(The government gave strong support to the people in the disaster area.) vs. 法律赋予公民权利。(The law endows citizens with rights.)

Notice that 'support' is something given to help, while 'rights' are something endowed to define status.

赋予 (fùyǔ) vs. 授予 (shòuyǔ)
赋予: Abstract and often 'internal' (rights, meaning, soul).
授予: Concrete and 'external' (titles, medals, degrees). It usually involves a formal ceremony or an official announcement of a prize.

他被授予了“英雄”称号。(He was conferred the title of 'Hero'.) vs. 这种精神赋予了他勇气。(This spirit endowed him with courage.)

赋予 (fùyǔ) vs. 赐予 (cìyǔ)
赐予: This is even more formal and often carries a religious or monarchical tone. It means 'to bestow' as a favor from a deity or a king to a subordinate. It implies a huge gap in status.
赋予: More neutral and modern. It is used for laws and nature, whereas 赐予 is for 'blessings' or 'royal gifts'.

上帝赐予了他们一个孩子。(God bestowed a child upon them.) vs. 父母赋予了我们生命。(Parents gave us life.)

In modern secular contexts, 赋予 is much more common. 赐予 is mostly found in historical dramas, religious texts, or very flowery literature.

赋予 (fùyǔ) vs. 交给 (jiāogěi)
交给: To hand over. Used for physical objects or simple tasks. '把钥匙交给管家' (Hand the keys to the butler).
赋予: Much more abstract. You don't 'hand over' a right; you 'endow' it.

把任务交给他。(Hand the task to him.) vs. 赋予他重任。(Entrust him with a heavy responsibility.)

Choosing the right word reflects your level of Chinese. Using 赋予 correctly shows that you understand the formal and abstract dimensions of the language.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, '赋' was also a type of literary form (rhyme-prose). Using '赋予' today still carries a hint of that literary and formal elegance.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /fû.ỳ/
US /fû.jǔ/
The stress is balanced between both syllables, but the falling 4th tone on 'fù' often sounds more emphatic.
Rhymes With
叙 (xù) 预 (yù) 具 (jù) 剧 (jù) 句 (jù) 聚 (jù) 虑 (lǜ) 去 (qù)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'yǔ' as 'yú' (2nd tone), which changes the meaning.
  • Mumbling the 'f' sound in 'fù'.
  • Treating 'yǔ' as a short, flat sound instead of a full 3rd tone.
  • Confusing the 'u' and 'ü' sounds; ensure the lips are rounded for 'yǔ'.
  • Stress on 'fù' being too light, making it sound like 'fǔ' (3rd tone).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and books, but requires understanding of formal context.

Writing 4/5

Tricky to use correctly without confusing it with other 'give' verbs.

Speaking 4/5

Used mainly in formal presentations or serious discussions.

Listening 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know the sound and common collocations.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

权利 权力 意义 生命

Learn Next

授予 给予 剥夺 使命 职责

Advanced

赋权 赋能 天赋人权 禀赋

Grammar to Know

Double Object Construction

赋予 + 某人 (IO) + 权利 (DO)

Passive with '被'

他被赋予了重任。

Abstract Object Restriction

赋予 cannot take concrete objects like '苹果' (apple).

Formal Register

Use 赋予 in written or formal spoken Chinese.

Subject as Abstract Force

Nature (自然) or History (历史) can be the subject of 赋予.

Examples by Level

1

大自然赋予我们水。

Nature endows us with water.

A1 usage: Nature as a giver of basic needs.

2

父母赋予孩子生命。

Parents give life to children.

Simple abstract concept: life.

3

老师赋予我信心。

The teacher gave me confidence.

Abstract quality: confidence.

4

名字赋予了它意义。

The name gave it meaning.

Simple object-meaning relationship.

5

这本书赋予我快乐。

This book gives me happiness.

Abstract feeling: happiness.

6

春天赋予大地绿色。

Spring gives the earth green color.

Poetic use of color as a gift.

7

音乐赋予我力量。

Music gives me strength.

Abstract quality: strength.

8

他赋予了角色名字。

He gave the character a name.

Simple bestowal of a name.

1

法律赋予公民权利。

The law endows citizens with rights.

Standard legal grant pattern.

2

我们要赋予生活意义。

We should give meaning to life.

Common philosophical phrase.

3

这件衣服赋予她美感。

This dress gives her a sense of beauty.

Aesthetic quality bestowal.

4

公司赋予他新的任务。

The company gave him a new task.

Formal task assignment.

5

历史赋予我们责任。

History endows us with responsibility.

History as an abstract actor.

6

阳光赋予万物生机。

Sunlight gives life to all things.

Natural force as a giver.

7

运动赋予他健康的体魄。

Exercise gave him a healthy physique.

Result of an action as an endowment.

8

这首歌赋予我希望。

This song gives me hope.

Emotional endowment.

1

经理赋予了她决策的权力。

The manager empowered her to make decisions.

Empowerment in a professional context.

2

这部电影赋予了原著新的灵魂。

This movie gave the original book a new soul.

Creative transformation.

3

宪法赋予人民言论自由。

The constitution grants people freedom of speech.

Specific legal right grant.

4

我们被赋予了保护地球的使命。

We were entrusted with the mission to protect the Earth.

Passive voice: 被赋予.

5

艺术赋予了普通事物美感。

Art endows ordinary things with beauty.

Abstract aesthetic concept.

6

新政策赋予了农民更多利益。

The new policy granted farmers more benefits.

Policy impact description.

7

这个角色被演员赋予了生命。

The character was brought to life by the actor.

Metaphorical life bestowal.

8

挫折赋予了他坚强的意志。

Setbacks endowed him with a strong will.

Experience as a source of endowment.

1

这种教育模式赋予学生独立思考的能力。

This educational model endows students with the ability to think independently.

Granting an internal ability.

2

时代赋予了青年人创新的机遇。

The era has endowed young people with opportunities for innovation.

Abstract temporal grant.

3

设计师赋予了这座建筑独特的性格。

The designer endowed this building with a unique character.

Aesthetic personification.

4

法律赋予了监护人特定的职责。

The law endows guardians with specific duties.

Legal duty assignment.

5

传统文化赋予了现代生活深厚的底蕴。

Traditional culture endows modern life with deep heritage.

Cultural influence as endowment.

6

这位领袖赋予了国家新的希望。

This leader gave the country new hope.

Leadership and abstract impact.

7

科技赋予了人类探索太空的可能。

Technology has endowed humanity with the possibility of exploring space.

Technological empowerment.

8

苦难赋予了他洞察人生的智慧。

Suffering endowed him with the wisdom to perceive life.

Wisdom as a result of hardship.

1

民主制度赋予了公民参与政治的合法性。

The democratic system endows citizens with the legitimacy to participate in politics.

Political legitimacy grant.

2

诗歌赋予了苦难一种崇高的美学价值。

Poetry endows suffering with a sublime aesthetic value.

High-level literary analysis.

3

这种文化语境赋予了词语特殊的含义。

This cultural context endows words with special meanings.

Linguistic and cultural theory.

4

法律赋予了受害者追求正义的权利。

The law endows victims with the right to pursue justice.

Legal rights framework.

5

人类社会赋予了婚姻契约性的特征。

Human society has endowed marriage with contractual characteristics.

Sociological observation.

6

创作者赋予了作品超越时代的生命力。

The creator endowed the work with vitality that transcends time.

Artistic transcendence.

7

该协议赋予了成员国平等的地位。

The agreement endowed member states with equal status.

International relations grant.

8

批判性思维赋予了我们审视权力的眼光。

Critical thinking endows us with the perspective to scrutinize power.

Intellectual empowerment.

1

宪法之精义在于赋予主权以法治的界限。

The essence of the constitution lies in endowing sovereignty with the boundaries of the rule of law.

Philosophical legal theory.

2

历史学家赋予了过去零散的事件以逻辑叙事。

Historians endow fragmented past events with a logical narrative.

Historiographical analysis.

3

存在主义认为,是人的选择赋予了荒诞世界以意义。

Existentialism holds that it is human choice that endows an absurd world with meaning.

Existentialist philosophy.

4

这篇论文赋予了该理论全新的解释框架。

This paper endowed the theory with a completely new interpretive framework.

Academic innovation.

5

这种权力结构赋予了官僚体系某种自我膨胀的趋向。

This power structure endows the bureaucracy with a tendency toward self-expansion.

Political sociology.

6

艺术家通过解构,赋予了日常物品以陌生化的美感。

Through deconstruction, the artist endows everyday objects with a defamiliarized aesthetic.

Aesthetic theory.

7

该法律条文赋予了法官在裁量权上的灵活性。

This legal provision endows judges with flexibility in discretionary power.

Legal precision.

8

文化全球化赋予了地方性传统以全球性的可见度。

Cultural globalization endows local traditions with global visibility.

Sociopolitical dynamics.

Synonyms

Antonyms

剥夺 收回

Common Collocations

赋予权力
赋予意义
赋予使命
赋予生命
赋予职责
赋予灵魂
赋予美感
赋予新意
赋予特权
赋予色彩

Common Phrases

天赋人权

— Natural rights; rights endowed by heaven/nature. It refers to the belief that people are born with certain rights.

天赋人权是现代民主的基础。

赋予重任

— To entrust with a heavy responsibility. It is used when someone is given a very important job.

领导对他十分信任,赋予他重任。

赋予内涵

— To endow with connotation or deeper meaning. Used in branding or literary analysis.

品牌需要被赋予深厚的文化内涵。

赋予生命力

— To give vitality or life force. Used for ideas, projects, or art.

创新赋予了企业持久的生命力。

赋予灵感

— To endow with inspiration. When something provides a creative spark.

大自然赋予了诗人无限的灵感。

赋予动能

— To provide momentum or kinetic energy. Often used metaphorically in economics or development.

科技进步为经济发展赋予了新动能。

赋予形象

— To give an image or form to something. Used in marketing or storytelling.

广告赋予了品牌亲切的形象。

赋予定义

— To give a definition to something. Used in academic or conceptual discussions.

每个人都为成功赋予不同的定义。

赋予价值

— To endow with value. When an action or attribute makes something worthwhile.

劳动赋予了生命真正的价值。

赋予活力

— To give energy or vigor. Used for organizations, people, or places.

改革赋予了城市新的活力。

Often Confused With

赋予 vs 给予

给予 is for general help/support; 赋予 is for rights/qualities.

赋予 vs 授予

授予 is for ceremony/awards; 赋予 is for inherent/legal grants.

赋予 vs 付与

付与 is archaic or used for paying/handing over money; 赋予 is modern for endowing.

Idioms & Expressions

"天授地设"

— Endowed by heaven and established by earth. Used to describe naturally perfect things.

这里的风景真是天授地设。

Literary
"生机勃勃"

— Full of vitality. Often the result of being '赋予' life.

春天的大地生机勃勃。

Neutral
"任重道远"

— The burden is heavy and the road is long. Often used when one is '赋予使命'.

我们这一代人任重道远。

Formal
"名副其实"

— The name matches the reality. When something is '赋予' a name it truly deserves.

他是一位名副其实的英雄。

Neutral
"点石成金"

— To turn stone into gold. Metaphorically '赋予' something worthless with great value.

他的修改赋予了文章点石成金的效果。

Literary
"画龙点睛"

— To add the finishing touch. Like '赋予' a soul to a drawing.

最后一段话起到了画龙点睛的作用。

Neutral
"脱胎换骨"

— To undergo a complete transformation. Like being '赋予' a new life.

经过锻炼,他简直脱胎换骨了。

Neutral
"赋予其名"

— To give it its name. Formal way to say naming something.

人们赋予其名曰‘希望’。

Formal
"厚德载物"

— With great virtue, one can carry all things. Relates to being '赋予' capacity through character.

中华文化讲究厚德载物。

Classical
"受命于天"

— To receive a mandate from heaven. The ultimate '赋予' in ancient times.

古代皇帝自称受命于天。

Historical

Easily Confused

赋予 vs 给予 (jǐyǔ)

Both mean 'to give' in a formal way.

给予 is about providing something needed (like help), while 赋予 is about bestowing an attribute or right.

给予帮助 (Give help) vs 赋予权利 (Endow rights).

赋予 vs 授予 (shòuyǔ)

Both are formal and end in 'yǔ'.

授予 is for formal awards, titles, or degrees. 赋予 is for abstract missions, meanings, or legal status.

授予奖牌 (Award a medal) vs 赋予使命 (Entrust with a mission).

赋予 vs 赐予 (cìyǔ)

Both mean 'bestow'.

赐予 implies a divine or royal gift (blessing). 赋予 is more secular and legal/natural.

上帝赐予 (God bestows) vs 法律赋予 (Law endows).

赋予 vs 交付 (jiāofù)

Both involve 'fù' and 'giving'.

交付 is to hand over a physical task, document, or payment. 赋予 is for abstract endowment.

交付房款 (Hand over house payment) vs 赋予意义 (Give meaning).

赋予 vs 天赋 (tiānfù)

Contains the character 'fù'.

天赋 is a noun meaning 'talent' or 'innate gift'. 赋予 is the verb for the act of endowing.

他的天赋很高 (His talent is high) vs 上天赋予他才能 (Heaven endowed him with talent).

Sentence Patterns

B1

S + 赋予 + 人 + 权利

宪法赋予公民投票的权利。

B1

S + 被赋予了 + O

这个项目被赋予了很高的期望。

B2

S + 赋予 + 物 + 意义/生命

艺术家赋予了石头生命。

B2

时代/历史 + 赋予 + 我们 + 使命

时代赋予了我们强国的使命。

C1

赋予 + O + 以 + Abstract Quality

赋予教育以人文关怀。

C1

S + 的本质在于 + 赋予...

法律的本质在于赋予公平以保障。

C2

在...语境下,S + 被赋予了...

在现代语境下,这个词被赋予了新的含义。

C2

赋予 + 主权/合法性 + 边界

协议赋予了行动以合法性。

Word Family

Nouns

天赋 (tiānfù - talent/gift)
赋税 (fùshuì - taxes)

Verbs

赋 (fù - to compose/bestow)
给予 (jǐyǔ - to give)
授予 (shòuyǔ - to award)

Adjectives

富有 (fùyǒu - rich in/full of)

Related

权力
使命
意义
权利
生命

How to Use It

frequency

High in formal writing; low in casual speech.

Common Mistakes
  • 赋予你一个苹果 给你一个苹果

    Apples are concrete; 赋予 is only for abstract things.

  • 赋予权力给警察 赋予警察权力

    The recipient should follow the verb directly without '给'.

  • 大学赋予我学位 大学授予我学位

    Degrees are formal titles; use 授予.

  • 给予公民权利 赋予公民权利

    赋予 is the specific term for granting rights.

  • 赋予他洗碗的任务 交给他洗碗的任务

    赋予 is too formal for daily household chores.

Tips

Check the Object

Always ensure the thing being given is abstract. If it's a physical object, switch to '给' or '送'.

Word Order

The recipient comes first. '赋予 + Recipient + Object'. Don't say '赋予权利给公民'.

Keep it Formal

Use this word in essays, speeches, and professional settings to sound more sophisticated.

Common Pairs

Memorize '赋予权力' and '赋予意义'. These two cover 70% of the word's usage.

Use '被赋予'

This is a great way to describe innate rights or qualities: '被赋予了...的权利'.

Vs. 给予

If you are giving 'help' or 'support', use '给予'. If you are giving 'rights' or 'missions', use '赋予'.

Vs. 授予

If there is a medal or a certificate involved, use '授予'. If it's a legal grant, use '赋予'.

Essay Writing

Start your conclusion by talking about the '意义' (meaning) that your topic '赋予' (endows) to society.

Interviews

Say '公司赋予了我这个机会' (The company gave me this opportunity) to sound grateful and professional.

Think of Mandates

Connect the word to the historical 'Mandate of Heaven' to remember its gravity and 'top-down' nature.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'Fu' in 'Future' and 'Yu' as 'You'. A great Future is something '赋予' (endowed) to You if you work hard.

Visual Association

Imagine a judge (law) handing a glowing ball of light (rights) to a person. The light represents the abstract nature of '赋予'.

Word Web

赋予权力 赋予意义 赋予生命 赋予使命 赋予灵魂 赋予职责 赋予美感 赋予新意

Challenge

Try to write three sentences using '赋予' to describe your job, your hobby, and your favorite book. Ensure the objects are abstract!

Word Origin

The character '赋' (fù) originally meant to spread or distribute, often in the context of taxes or military resources. '予' (yǔ) means to give or grant. Together, they form a word that implies a structured or official bestowal.

Original meaning: To distribute or grant resources/authority from a central source.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use '赋予' in a way that sounds patronizing. Because it implies a 'top-down' grant, using it for a peer might sound like you think you are superior to them.

The English equivalent 'endow' is often associated with 'endowment funds' or 'natural endowments' (talents). In Chinese, '赋予' is more broadly used in legal and daily formal contexts than 'endow' might be in casual English.

The Chinese Constitution (中华人民共和国宪法) frequently uses '赋予' regarding the rights of citizens. Mao Zedong's speeches often used '赋予' when discussing the missions of the youth. Modern Chinese pop songs often use '赋予意义' to describe love giving meaning to life.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Legal/Political

  • 赋予权利
  • 赋予权力
  • 赋予合法性
  • 法律赋予

Artistic/Creative

  • 赋予灵魂
  • 赋予生命
  • 赋予形象
  • 赋予美感

Professional/Work

  • 赋予重任
  • 赋予职责
  • 赋予自主权
  • 赋予决策权

Philosophical

  • 赋予意义
  • 赋予价值
  • 赋予内涵
  • 赋予定义

Natural/Scientific

  • 赋予动能
  • 赋予特性
  • 赋予本能
  • 自然赋予

Conversation Starters

"你认为法律应该赋予公民哪些新的权利?"

"你觉得是什么赋予了你的生活意义?"

"在工作中,你希望领导赋予你什么样的权力?"

"哪部电影赋予了你最深刻的感悟?"

"你认为科技的发展赋予了人类哪些新的能力?"

Journal Prompts

写一写你认为时代赋予了我们这一代人什么样的使命。

描述一个你认为被赋予了“灵魂”的艺术作品。

反思一下,你是如何为每天平凡的生活赋予意义的?

如果你有权力赋予他人一种天赋,你会选择什么?为什么?

讨论一下教育应该如何赋予学生面对未来的信心。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. Use '送' (sòng) or '给' (gěi). '赋予' is only for abstract things like rights or meaning.

Rarely. You might use it in a serious discussion about work or life goals, but not for everyday small talk.

Probably '赋予权利' (granting rights) or '赋予意义' (giving meaning).

Usually, it is used for positive or neutral abstract things. However, one could '赋予' a negative 'connotation' (内涵) to a word.

Yes, '被赋予' is very common, especially in phrases like '每个人都被赋予了生命' (Everyone has been endowed with life).

'赋予' is a verb meaning 'to endow'. '赋权' (fùquán) is a specific noun/verb meaning 'empowerment' or 'to empower' in a social/political sense.

Yes, '大自然赋予...' is a very common expression for natural resources or innate abilities.

Just use '赋予'. Adding '给' is redundant and often grammatically incorrect in the standard pattern.

Yes, you can say '赋予了这个孩子一个名字', but it sounds very formal and poetic, like a naming ceremony.

It is introduced around B1, but full mastery is often B2 or C1 level due to its formal nature.

Test Yourself 150 questions

writing

用‘赋予’写一个关于法律的句子。

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writing

用‘赋予’写一个关于艺术的句子。

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writing

用‘赋予’写一个关于生命的句子。

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writing

用‘赋予’写一个关于使命的句子。

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writing

用‘赋予’写一个关于意义的句子。

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writing

将‘The law endows people with power’翻译成中文。

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writing

将‘Nature gives us resources’翻译成中文(用‘赋予’)。

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writing

将‘This role was given life by the actor’翻译成中文(用‘赋予’)。

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writing

用‘赋予’描述你的工作职责。

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writing

用‘赋予’描述一种天赋。

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writing

用‘赋予’描述一种美感。

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writing

用‘赋予’描述一种责任。

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writing

用‘赋予’写一个关于教育的句子。

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writing

用‘赋予’写一个关于科技的句子。

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writing

用‘赋予’描述一种信心。

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writing

用‘赋予’描述一种内涵。

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writing

用‘赋予’描述一种色彩。

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writing

用‘赋予’描述一种机遇。

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writing

用‘赋予’描述一种定义。

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writing

用‘赋予’描述一种活力。

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speaking

朗读句子:‘宪法赋予公民言论自由。’

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speaking

朗读句子:‘大自然赋予了我们生命。’

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speaking

用‘赋予’说出一项你拥有的权利。

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speaking

用‘赋予’说出你的一个使命。

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speaking

用‘赋予’评价一个你喜欢的艺术品。

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speaking

解释‘赋予意义’是什么意思。

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朗读句子:‘我们要赋予生活更多的阳光。’

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speaking

朗读句子:‘公司赋予了他决策权。’

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speaking

朗读句子:‘他被赋予了光荣的任务。’

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speaking

讨论:为什么‘赋予’不用于具体的物品?

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speaking

用‘赋予’造句:‘阳光...’

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speaking

用‘赋予’造句:‘老师...’

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speaking

朗读句子:‘这种文化语境赋予了词语特殊的含义。’

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speaking

用‘赋予’形容你的家乡。

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speaking

朗读句子:‘每个人都被赋予了生存的权利。’

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speaking

用‘赋予’描述一个好老师。

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speaking

朗读句子:‘科技赋予了人类探索未知的力量。’

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speaking

用‘赋予’谈论环境。

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speaking

朗读句子:‘法律赋予了警察执法的权力。’

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speaking

朗读句子:‘设计师赋予了旧物新的价值。’

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/ 150 correct

Perfect score!

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