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B1 verb 10 min read

表扬

biǎoyáng

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 表扬 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 表扬 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '表扬' (biǎoyáng) means 'to praise.' You will mostly hear it in a classroom. For example, '老师表扬我' means 'The teacher praised me.' It is a very happy word because it means you did something right. You don't need to worry about the formal nuances yet. Just think of it as a special way to say 'Good job!' in a school or family setting. It is usually something a teacher or a parent says to you. When you hear this word, it is time to smile! You can use it in simple sentences like '我受到了表扬' (I received praise).

At the A2 level, you should start to notice who uses '表扬' and why. It is used when someone in authority, like a teacher or a boss, recognizes someone's good work. You will often see it used with the particle '了' (le) because the praise has already happened: '老师表扬了他.' You should also learn the phrase '得到表扬' (to get praise). This is a very common way to describe a successful day at school or work. Remember, '表扬' is more formal than '夸' (kuā). If your friend says your shirt is nice, they are '夸' you. If your boss says your report was excellent in front of the team, they are '表扬' you.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use '表扬' correctly in professional and educational contexts. You should understand that it implies a hierarchical relationship (superior to subordinate). You should be able to use the '被' (bèi) passive structure: '他因为表现好而被表扬了' (He was praised for his good performance). You should also know the noun form, such as '表扬信' (a letter of commendation). At this level, you should distinguish '表扬' from '赞美' (emotional/aesthetic praise) and '称赞' (general praise). '表扬' is about recognizing specific achievements or behaviors that serve as a positive example for others.

At the B2 level, you should understand the social and cultural implications of '表扬.' It is a tool for social engineering and moral education in China. You might encounter it in news reports about 'Model Citizens' (模范市民) who are '受到政府表扬.' You should be able to use it with various adverbs like '公开表扬' (publicly commend) or '大加表扬' (greatly praise). You should also understand its role in 'face' (面子) culture—how public praise elevates a person's status. Your writing should reflect the formal tone that '表扬' requires, especially when discussing management, education, or social virtues.

At the C1 level, you should be able to analyze the use of '表扬' in complex texts, such as corporate policy documents or academic papers on education. You should understand the nuance between '表扬' and highly formal terms like '嘉奖' (official award) or '表彰' (to honor/recognize publicly on a large scale). You should be able to discuss the psychological effects of '表扬' in a pedagogical context, using sophisticated grammar. For example, discussing how '过度的表扬' (excessive praise) might affect a child's intrinsic motivation. You should also be familiar with idioms and set phrases that involve recognition and honor.

At the C2 level, you should have a native-like grasp of '表扬' and its place in the broader linguistic landscape of Chinese honorifics and evaluative language. You can use it with precision in legal, governmental, or high-level academic contexts. You understand the historical evolution of the characters and how the concept of 'manifesting virtue' (表德) evolved into modern '表扬.' You can write critiques of social recognition systems or deliver formal speeches where you '表扬' the collective efforts of an organization, navigating the delicate balance of authority, modesty, and public acknowledgement with perfect register and tone.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

表扬 in 30 Seconds

表扬 (biǎoyáng) means to praise or commend, typically in a formal or public setting.
It is primarily used by authority figures like teachers, parents, or managers.
It functions as both a verb ('to praise') and a noun ('praise' or 'commendation').
It is a key cultural tool for setting examples and reinforcing social and professional standards.

The Chinese word 表扬 (biǎoyáng) is a cornerstone of positive reinforcement in Chinese culture. At its core, it means 'to praise' or 'to commend,' but its usage carries a specific weight that distinguishes it from casual compliments. The first character, 表 (biǎo), originally refers to the outside or a surface, but in this context, it implies 'to make manifest' or 'to show publicly.' The second character, 扬 (yáng), means 'to raise,' 'to spread,' or 'to make known.' Together, 表扬 suggests a form of praise that is often formal, public, or intended to set an example for others.

Formal Recognition: This term is frequently used in schools, workplaces, and government settings where an authority figure recognizes the achievements of a subordinate or student. It is not just about saying 'good job'; it is about validating effort in a way that others can see.
Educational Context: In Chinese schools, teachers often '表扬' students for their hard work or good behavior to encourage the rest of the class to follow suit. This is a key pedagogical tool used to maintain social harmony and academic standards.
Workplace Merit: In a corporate environment, a manager might issue a '表扬信' (letter of commendation) to an employee who has exceeded their targets, signaling to the entire department that such excellence is valued and rewarded.

因为他在比赛中表现出色，校长在全校面前表扬了他。

Translation: Because he performed excellently in the competition, the principal praised him in front of the whole school.

The nuance of 表扬 is that it usually flows downward in a hierarchy—from parent to child, teacher to student, or boss to employee. It would be culturally awkward for a child to '表扬' their parent or for an employee to '表扬' their CEO, as that would imply the speaker holds a position of evaluative authority over the recipient. In those cases, words like 赞美 (zànměi) or 称赞 (chēngzàn) are more appropriate.

老师经常表扬那些乐于助人的学生。

Translation: The teacher often commends those students who are happy to help others.

Furthermore, 表扬 can function as both a verb and a noun. As a noun, it refers to the act of praise or the commendation itself. For instance, '得到表扬' (to receive praise) is a very common structure. This versatility makes it an essential word for anyone navigating professional or educational spaces in China. It reflects a culture that values collective recognition and the setting of moral or professional benchmarks through public acknowledgement.

他的努力工作得到了公司的表扬。

Translation: His hard work received the company's commendation.

In summary, use 表扬 when the praise is official, deserved through specific actions, and usually given by someone in a position to evaluate those actions. It is a word of encouragement that carries the weight of social approval and structural recognition.

Understanding the grammatical flexibility of 表扬 (biǎoyáng) is key to using it naturally. It follows standard SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) patterns but also frequently interacts with passive structures and specific collocations that denote receiving or giving recognition.

Direct Object Usage: The most straightforward way is [Subject] + 表扬 + [Object]. For example: '经理表扬了小王' (The manager praised Xiao Wang). Here, the focus is on the act of the authority figure giving the praise.
Passive Voice with '被' (bèi): In formal writing or when focusing on the person receiving the praise, the '被' structure is common: [Object] + 被 + [Subject] + 表扬. Example: '他被老师表扬了' (He was praised by the teacher). This emphasizes the status of the recipient.
Receiving Praise with '得到' or '受到': When '表扬' acts as a noun, we use '得到' (dédào - to get) or '受到' (shòudào - to receive). '受到表扬' is particularly common in official contexts. Example: '他的英勇行为受到了政府的表扬' (His heroic actions received the government's commendation).

你应该为你的进步感到自豪，因为你得到了表扬。

Translation: You should feel proud of your progress because you received praise.

When using 表扬, you can add adverbs to specify the degree or frequency of the praise. Common adverbs include 公开 (gōngkāi - publicly), 经常 (jīngcháng - often), and 大加 (dàjiā - greatly/profusely). For instance, '公开表扬' (publicly commend) is a powerful phrase used in organizational management to boost morale.

在年终会议上，老板公开表扬了销售团队。

Translation: At the year-end meeting, the boss publicly commended the sales team.

Another unique usage is the '表扬信' (biǎoyáng xìn), which is a physical letter of commendation. This is a very Chinese cultural phenomenon where a customer might write a letter to a company to praise a specific employee's service, or a neighbor might write to a school to praise a student's kind act. Using '表扬' in this compound noun form highlights its role as a formal instrument of social recognition.

这位老人给学校写了一封表扬信，感谢那个帮他过马路的学生。

Translation: The elderly man wrote a letter of commendation to the school, thanking the student who helped him cross the street.

Finally, remember that '表扬' is often paired with specific reasons. The structure '因为...而表扬' (praise because of...) is very common. Example: '老师因为他诚实而表扬了他' (The teacher praised him for his honesty). This makes the praise specific and educational, reinforcing the desired behavior or trait.

In daily life in China, 表扬 (biǎoyáng) is a word that echoes through the halls of institutions. It is a 'loud' word—meaning it is often spoken in front of an audience or written in a way that others will read. You will hear it most frequently in settings where performance is evaluated and where collective values are being reinforced.

In Schools: From kindergarten to university, '表扬' is ubiquitous. Teachers use it during morning assemblies or in the classroom. A student might come home and excitedly tell their parents, '今天老师表扬我了!' (The teacher praised me today!). It is a primary motivator for Chinese children.
Corporate Culture: During annual reviews, monthly meetings, or on internal company bulletin boards, you will see lists of employees who have '受到表扬.' This is part of the 'incentive system' (激励机制) in many Chinese firms, where public recognition is considered just as important as financial bonuses.
News and Media: Local news reports often feature stories of 'good Samaritans' who are '受到表扬' by the local police or community government. This serves a propaganda role, promoting 'positive energy' (正能量) within society.

在公司大会上，张经理特别表扬了技术部的贡献。

Translation: At the company general meeting, Manager Zhang specifically commended the contribution of the technical department.

You might also encounter this word in the context of '表扬榜' (Commendation Board). These are physical or digital boards found in schools or factories that list the names and photos of outstanding individuals. Seeing your name on a '表扬榜' is a significant point of pride and face (面子) for the individual and their family.

他的名字出现在了本月的表扬名单上。

Translation: His name appeared on this month's commendation list.

In more casual settings, parents might use it when talking about their children with other parents: '我儿子因为数学考了满分被老师表扬了' (My son was praised by the teacher because he got a perfect score in math). Here, it serves as a way to share success through the lens of institutional validation. Even in TV dramas or movies, a character's moral worth is often established by them '受到表扬' for an act of integrity or bravery, signaling to the audience that they are a 'good character.'

While 表扬 (biǎoyáng) is a positive word, it is easy for learners to misuse it by ignoring the social hierarchy and context it implies. Because English uses 'praise' or 'compliment' in a wide variety of situations, learners often over-apply '表扬' where other Chinese words would be more natural.

Mistake 1: Hierarchy Reversal: Using '表扬' to praise someone of higher status. If a student says to a professor, '老师，我表扬你的课讲得好' (Teacher, I commend your lecture), it sounds arrogant or condescending. Instead, use '您的课讲得真好' (Your lecture is really good) or '我非常敬佩您的才华' (I really admire your talent).
Mistake 2: Confusing with '夸' (kuā): '夸' is more casual and can be used for simple compliments (looks, clothes, minor skills). '表扬' is for achievements and character. You wouldn't '表扬' someone's new shoes; you would '夸' their shoes.
Mistake 3: Religious Contexts: As mentioned before, '表扬' is secular. Using it in a religious sense like '表扬上帝' (Praise God) is incorrect. The correct term is '赞美上帝' (zànměi Shàngdì).

❌ 儿子表扬妈妈做的饭好吃。

Correction: 儿子夸妈妈做的饭好吃。 (A son compliments his mom's cooking.)

Another common error is the omission of the particle 了 (le) in past-tense scenarios. Since '表扬' is an action that usually has a result or has already happened when being discussed, the completion marker is often necessary. Saying '老师表扬我' (Teacher praise me) sounds incomplete compared to '老师表扬了我' (Teacher praised me).

❌ 他得到了老师的夸奖。

Note: While '夸奖' is okay, '表扬' is more formal and common in school reports.

Finally, avoid using '表扬' for self-praise. In Chinese culture, modesty (谦虚) is highly valued. Even if you did something great, you would say '我还需要努力' (I still need to work hard) rather than '我表扬我自己' (I praise myself). If you must express self-recognition, a phrase like '我对自己感到满意' (I am satisfied with myself) is better, though still rare in public.

To master 表扬 (biǎoyáng), you must understand its neighbors in the semantic field of 'praise.' Chinese has several words for this, each with a different 'flavor' and level of formality.

夸 / 夸奖 (kuā / kuājiǎng): '夸' is the informal, everyday version. It is used between friends, for small things, or when a parent is talking to a small child. It focuses on the act of complimenting rather than official recognition. '表扬' is the formal version of '夸奖.'
称赞 (chēngzàn): '称赞' is more literary and neutral. It can be used between peers. It implies a high evaluation of someone's qualities or work. While '表扬' often comes from a superior, '称赞' can come from anyone who admires the quality.
赞美 (zànměi): '赞美' is emotional and aesthetic. It is used to praise beauty, nature, or virtues. It is also the word used for 'worship' or 'praise' in religious contexts. You '赞美' a sunset or a beautiful voice, but you '表扬' a student for finishing their homework.
嘉奖 (jiājiǎng): '嘉奖' is even more formal than '表扬.' It usually involves a physical award, a trophy, or a formal citation from a high-level institution like the military or national government.

Comparing:
1. 妈妈夸我真聪明。 (Mom says I'm smart - casual)
2. 老师表扬我进步大。 (Teacher commends my progress - formal)
3. 诗人赞美大自然。 (Poet praises nature - emotional)

Choosing the right word depends on your relationship with the person and the setting. If you are in a professional setting, stick with 表扬 or 称赞. If you are with friends, 夸 is your best bet. If you are writing a poem or a heartfelt letter, 赞美 will carry the emotional weight you need.

In summary, 表扬 is the 'gold standard' for institutional and educational praise in China. It bridges the gap between casual compliments and formal awards, making it a versatile and vital word for any student of the language.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '扬' (yáng) contains the radical for 'hand' (扌), signifying that the act of spreading praise was originally a physical action of raising something up for all to see.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /biːˈaʊ jæŋ/

US /biːˈaʊ jæŋ/

The stress is equal on both syllables, following the natural tonal rhythm of Mandarin.

Rhymes With

强 (qiáng) 忙 (máng) 长 (cháng) 光 (guāng) 乡 (xiāng) 凉 (liáng) 张 (zhāng) 香 (xiāng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'yáng' as 'yang' (like English 'bang') instead of 'yahng'.
Mixing up the tones: 'biǎo' (3rd) and 'yáng' (2nd).
Omitting the 'i' in 'biǎo', making it sound like 'bǎo'.
Failing to rise enough on the second syllable 'yáng'.
Pronouncing the 'b' in 'biǎo' too forcefully like a 'p'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are common but '扬' has several strokes to remember.

Writing 4/5

Writing '扬' correctly requires attention to the right-side component.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is relatively easy once tones are mastered.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound, easy to pick out in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

好 (Good) 老师 (Teacher) 说 (Say) 看 (Look) 大 (Big)

Learn Next

奖励 (Reward) 批评 (Criticize) 荣誉 (Honor) 表现 (Performance) 榜样 (Example)

Advanced

表彰 (Honor publicly) 嘉奖 (Official award) 褒奖 (Formal commendation) 赞誉 (Acclaim) 称颂 (To praise/extol)

Grammar to Know

Passive with '被' (bèi)

他被老师表扬了。

The particle '了' (le) for completion

经理表扬了我。

Using '得到' (dédào) with abstract nouns

他的努力得到了表扬。

Adverbial placement (Time/Location before Verb)

老师今天在学校表扬了我。

Using '因为...而...' (Because... and thus...)

他因为诚实而受到表扬。

Examples by Level

老师表扬了我。

The teacher praised me.

Simple SVO structure with '了' indicating completed action.

爸爸表扬了我。

Dad praised me.

Subject (Dad) + Verb (Praise) + Object (Me).

我喜欢被表扬。

I like being praised.

Using '被' for a simple passive meaning.

老师表扬他很听话。

The teacher praised him for being obedient.

Praising someone for a specific trait.

他在学校得到了表扬。

He got praise at school.

Using '得到' + noun form of '表扬'.

你要表扬他吗？

Are you going to praise him?

Simple question with '吗'.

我不常受到表扬。

I don't often receive praise.

Negation with '不' and '受到'.

大家表扬了他。

Everyone praised him.

Collective subject '大家'.

因为他帮了别人，所以老师表扬了他。

Because he helped others, the teacher praised him.

Because... therefore... (因为...所以...).

经理在会上表扬了我的工作。

The manager praised my work at the meeting.

Location '在会上' (at the meeting) precedes the verb.

妈妈表扬我打扫了房间。

Mom praised me for cleaning the room.

Praising for a completed task.

他是一个值得表扬的孩子。

He is a child worthy of praise.

Using '值得' (worthy of) as a modifier.

老师今天在全班面前表扬了我。

The teacher praised me in front of the whole class today.

Prepositional phrase '在...面前' (in front of).

得到表扬后，他学习更努力了。

After getting praise, he studied even harder.

Using '...后' (after) to show sequence.

谁受到了表扬？

Who received the praise?

Interrogative '谁'.

老师表扬他写字写得好。

The teacher praised him for his good handwriting.

Verb complement structure '写得好'.

他因为在危险中救人而受到了政府的表扬。

He received a government commendation for saving someone in danger.

Formal structure '因为...而受到...'.

我们应该多表扬孩子的进步，而不是只看分数。

We should praise children's progress more, rather than just looking at scores.

Using '应该' (should) and '而不是' (rather than).

经理公开表扬了那些加班完成项目的员工。

The manager publicly commended those employees who worked overtime to finish the project.

Adverb '公开' (publicly) modifying '表扬'.

这封表扬信是写给你的，快看看吧。

This letter of commendation is for you, take a look.

Noun compound '表扬信'.

他被表扬后，并没有变得骄傲。

After being praised, he did not become arrogant.

Passive '被' and negation '并没有'.

公司决定对表现优秀的员工进行表扬。

The company decided to commend employees with outstanding performance.

Formal structure '对...进行表扬'.

老师表扬了全班同学的团队精神。

The teacher praised the team spirit of the whole class.

Abstract object '团队精神'.

受到表扬让他感到非常有成就感。

Receiving praise made him feel a great sense of achievement.

Gerund-like phrase as a subject.

在这种公开场合表扬他，是为了树立一个榜样。

Praising him in such a public setting is intended to set an example.

Purpose clause '是为了...'.

尽管他得到了表扬，但他觉得自己做得还不够好。

Despite receiving praise, he felt he hadn't done well enough.

Concession '尽管...但...'.

校长在毕业典礼上大加表扬了这届学生的科研成果。

The principal highly commended this year's students' research achievements at the graduation ceremony.

Adverbial phrase '大加' (greatly).

这种表扬不仅是对个人的肯定，也是对团队的鼓励。

This kind of praise is not only an affirmation of the individual but also an encouragement to the team.

Correlative conjunction '不仅...也是...'.

他在处理突发事件时的冷静受到了上级的表扬。

His calmness in handling emergencies was praised by his superiors.

Subject is a complex noun phrase.

表扬和批评都是教育中不可或缺的手段。

Both praise and criticism are indispensable tools in education.

Using '不可或缺' (indispensable).

他在信中表达了对那位热心市民的表扬之情。

In the letter, he expressed his feelings of commendation for that warm-hearted citizen.

Formal '...之情' structure.

他因为长期坚持公益活动而多次受到媒体表扬。

He has been praised by the media many times for his long-term commitment to public welfare activities.

Frequency '多次' (many times).

适度的表扬能够激发员工的积极性，但过度表扬则适得其反。

Moderate praise can stimulate employee motivation, but excessive praise has the opposite effect.

Contrast using '但...则...' and idiom '适得其反'.

政府通过公开表扬先进典型，旨在引导社会风气向善。

By publicly commending advanced models, the government aims to guide social atmosphere toward goodness.

Formal '旨在' (aims to).

这种口头表扬虽然简单，但在当时却给了他极大的信心。

Although this verbal praise was simple, it gave him immense confidence at that time.

Concession '虽然...但...却...'.

他的这种钻研精神值得在全行业内进行通报表扬。

His spirit of intensive study deserves a circular of commendation within the entire industry.

Technical term '通报表扬'.

在学术界，获得同行的表扬往往比获得奖金更令人振奋。

In academia, receiving praise from peers is often more exhilarating than receiving a bonus.

Comparative '比...更...'.

她那不计名利的奉献精神受到了社会各界的广泛表扬。

Her spirit of selfless dedication was widely praised by all sectors of society.

Passive structure with '受到...广泛表扬'.

表扬不应仅仅停留在形式上，更应触及灵魂。

Praise should not just stay on the surface; it should touch the soul.

Negative '不应仅仅...更应...'.

对于他的这种行为，我们不能仅仅给予口头上的表扬。

For this kind of behavior, we cannot just give verbal praise.

Structure '给予...表扬'.

该项政策的实施，使得那些在基层默默奉献的劳动者得到了应有的表扬与尊重。

The implementation of this policy has ensured that those workers who contribute silently at the grassroots level receive the praise and respect they deserve.

Complex causative structure '使得...'.

与其说这是一种表扬，不如说这是一种对社会责任的庄严宣示。

Rather than calling it a form of praise, it is more like a solemn declaration of social responsibility.

Comparative structure '与其说...不如说...'.

在历史的宏大叙事中，个人的功绩往往通过后世的表扬得以永恒。

In the grand narrative of history, individual achievements are often eternalized through the commendations of later generations.

Abstract philosophical context.

这种表扬机制的建立，旨在构建一个崇尚荣誉、追求卓越的价值观体系。

The establishment of this commendation mechanism aims to build a value system that admires honor and pursues excellence.

Formal '旨在' with complex object.

他淡泊名利，对于外界的表扬与赞誉向来视若浮云。

He is indifferent to fame and wealth, and has always regarded external praise and acclaim as fleeting clouds.

Idiom '视若浮云' (regard as fleeting clouds).

官方的表扬文件详细列举了他的多项卓越贡献，字里行间透着敬意。

The official commendation document listed his many outstanding contributions in detail, with respect showing between the lines.

Descriptive '透着' (showing/revealing).

即便是在最艰难的时刻，他也从未放弃对真理的追求，这本身就值得最高的表扬。

Even in the most difficult times, he never gave up his pursuit of truth, which in itself deserves the highest praise.

Concessive '即便...也...'.

表扬作为一种正向激励，其深层逻辑在于对人类情感需求的精准回应。

As a form of positive incentive, the deep logic of praise lies in its precise response to human emotional needs.

Academic '其深层逻辑在于...'.

Common Collocations

受到表扬

得到表扬

公开表扬

书面表扬

大加表扬

口头表扬

通报表扬

值得表扬

表扬信

被表扬

Common Phrases

受表扬

— Short form of 受到表扬. Being commended.

受表扬的感觉真好。

表扬稿

— A speech or text written to praise someone. Often read on school radio.

他正在写一份广播表扬稿。

表扬榜

— A physical board or digital list of people being commended.

他的名字上了光荣表扬榜。

点名表扬

— To praise someone specifically by name in a meeting.

经理在会上点名表扬了小李。

通令表扬

— A formal order or notice issued to commend someone, usually in the military.

全团通令表扬了他的英勇行为。

大张旗鼓地表扬

— To praise someone with great fanfare or very publicly.

公司大张旗鼓地表扬了年度冠军。

值得大力表扬

— Deserves to be praised vigorously.

这种创新精神值得大力表扬。

表扬与自我表扬

— Praise and self-praise. Often used in political or organizational contexts.

会议变成了表扬与自我表扬的大会。

予以表扬

— To grant or bestow praise. Very formal.

对该同志的行为应予以表扬。

给予表扬

— To give praise. Formal.

我们要对好人好事给予表扬。

Often Confused With

表扬 vs 表现 (biǎoxiàn)

Means 'performance' or 'to show.' Related but different. You get '表扬' for good '表现'.

表扬 vs 表达 (biǎodá)

Means 'to express' (feelings, ideas). Often confused because of the first character '表'.

表扬 vs 表演 (biǎoyǎn)

Means 'to perform' (on stage). Another 'biǎo' word that learners mix up.

Idioms & Expressions

"扬名立万"

— To become famous and establish one's reputation. Related to '扬' (to spread).

他想在电影界扬名立万。

Informal/Literary

"赞不绝口"

— To praise someone or something unceasingly.

客人对这道菜赞不绝口。

Common

"口碑载道"

— To be praised by everyone everywhere.

这位医生的医术口碑载道。

Formal

"交口称赞"

— To be praised by everyone in unison.

他的英勇事迹被人们交口称赞。

Formal

"名扬四海"

— Fame spreading to the four seas; world-famous.

他的名声已经名扬四海了。

Literary

"歌功颂德"

— To sing the praises of someone's merits and virtues. Sometimes pejorative (flattery).

有些下属只会对上司歌功颂德。

Neutral/Pejorative

"名不虚传"

— To have a reputation that is well-deserved.

这里的风景果然名不虚传。

Common

"有口皆碑"

— Everyone has a tablet in their mouth (praising someone). To be universally acclaimed.

他的为人有口皆碑。

Formal

"流芳百世"

— To leave a good reputation for a hundred generations.

伟大的艺术家往往能流芳百世。

Literary

"德高望重"

— A person of high virtue and great reputation.

他是我们社区德高望重的老教授。

Formal

Easily Confused

表扬 vs 夸奖 (kuājiǎng)

Both mean to praise.

表扬 is more formal and usually public/institutional. 夸奖 is more personal and casual.

老师表扬了他。 (Formal) / 邻居夸奖他懂礼貌。 (Informal)

表扬 vs 赞美 (zànměi)

Both mean to praise.

赞美 is for beauty, art, or deep virtues. 表扬 is for actions and achievements.

他在赞美那幅画。 (Art) / 老师在表扬他的作业。 (Achievement)

表扬 vs 称赞 (chēngzàn)

Both mean to praise.

称赞 is a general high evaluation by anyone. 表扬 is usually from a superior.

他的厨艺被大家称赞。 (General) / 经理表扬了他的工作。 (Superior)

表扬 vs 奖励 (jiǎnglì)

Both are positive feedback.

表扬 is verbal/written praise. 奖励 involves a physical reward or prize.

老师表扬了他并奖励他一本书。

表扬 vs 表彰 (biǎozhāng)

Both involve public recognition.

表彰 is much more formal, often used by governments or large organizations for major feats.

全国劳模受到了表彰。

Sentence Patterns

S + 表扬 + O + 了。

老师表扬我了。

S + 因为 + [Reason] + 而受到表扬。

他因为努力而受到表扬。

S + 在 [Setting] + 表扬了 + O。

经理在会上表扬了我们。

S + 值得 + [Adverb] + 表扬。

这种精神值得大力表扬。

对...给予...表扬。

我们要对这种行为给予公开表扬。

与其说...不如说是对...的表扬。

与其说这是奖励，不如说是对勇气的表扬。

O + 被 + S + 表扬了。

小王被老板表扬了。

S + 得到 + 了 + 表扬。

他得到了老师的表扬。

Word Family

Nouns

表扬 (Commendation)

表扬信 (Commendation Letter)

表扬榜 (Honor Roll)

Verbs

表扬 (To praise)

表彰 (To honor publicly)

发表 (To publish/express)

Adjectives

表扬性的 (Commendatory)

表现 (Performance)

表达 (Express)

扬声器 (Loudspeaker)

宣扬 (To publicize)

发扬 (To develop/promote)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in educational and professional environments.

Common Mistakes

老师，我表扬你。 → 老师，您讲得真好。
You cannot '表扬' a superior. It sounds like you are evaluating them from a higher position.
我表扬他的新衣服。 → 我夸他的新衣服漂亮。
'表扬' is for merit and actions, not for physical items or looks. Use '夸' for compliments.
他受到上帝的表扬。 → 他受到上帝的赞美。
'表扬' is a secular, institutional term. Use '赞美' for religious contexts.
我非常表扬他。 → 我对他大加表扬。
'非常' is usually for adjectives. For a verb like '表扬,' use adverbs like '大加' or '公开'.
他表扬在会上。 → 他在会上受到了表扬。
'表扬' needs an object or a passive structure. It cannot just stand alone after a location.

Tips

Use with '了'

Remember to add '了' (le) after '表扬' if the action is finished. '老师表扬了我' sounds much better than '老师表扬我'.

Hierarchical Flow

Always remember: praise flows down. Parents to children, teachers to students, bosses to employees.

Pair with '信'

Learning '表扬信' (commendation letter) is very useful for business and formal communication.

Tone Mastery

Practice the third tone of 'biǎo' carefully; if it's too flat, it might be confused with other words.

Formal Contexts

In essays, use '受到...的表扬' to sound more academic and sophisticated.

Giving Face

Publicly '表扬'-ing someone is a great way to build relationships in a Chinese workplace.

Context Clues

If you hear 'biǎoyáng' in a news report, it's likely about a hero or a model citizen.

Use '值得'

The phrase '值得表扬' (worthy of praise) is a very common way to describe a good deed.

Antonym Practice

Learn '批评' (criticism) alongside '表扬' to have a complete set of feedback words.

Surface and Spread

Remember the characters: Show the surface (表) and spread (扬) the good news.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Biǎo' as a 'Billboard' (to show) and 'Yáng' as 'Young' (praising the young). You put the young person's achievement on a billboard to '表扬' them.

Visual Association

Imagine a teacher standing on a stage (表) and raising (扬) a student's trophy high in the air.

Word Web

老师 (Teacher) 学生 (Student) 经理 (Manager) 员工 (Employee) 进步 (Progress) 奖励 (Reward) 面子 (Face) 榜样 (Example)

Challenge

Try to use '表扬' in a sentence describing a time you did something well at work or school. Ensure you use '受到' or '得到' if you were the recipient.

Word Origin

The term combines '表' (biǎo) and '扬' (yáng). In ancient Chinese, '表' referred to the outer garment or surface, and by extension, 'to make something visible or manifest.' '扬' referred to raising a battle-axe or hand, and later 'to raise up' or 'to spread a name.'

Original meaning: To manifest and raise up (someone's good deeds).

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese).

Cultural Context

Avoid using '表扬' for someone older or higher in status than you, as it can seem like you are judging them from a superior position.

In the West, praise is often personal and private. In China, '表扬' is often public and performative to set a group standard.

Lei Feng (雷锋) - A soldier who was posthumously '表扬' by Mao Zedong, becoming a national icon of service. The 'Moving China' (感动中国) awards - An annual TV event that '表扬' individuals with extraordinary virtues. Primary school 'Little Red Flowers' (小红花) - The most basic form of '表扬' for Chinese children.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School Environment

老师表扬学生
得到小红花
全班表扬
表扬他很聪明

Workplace

经理表扬员工
年终表扬
受到公开表扬
写表扬信

Family

爸爸表扬我
值得表扬的行为
妈妈的表扬
表扬孩子听话

Government/News

政府表扬市民
通报表扬
受到媒体表扬
先进事迹表扬

Customer Service

给客服写表扬信
表扬这位服务员
员工受到顾客表扬
表扬服务态度

Conversation Starters

"你最近在工作中受到过表扬吗？ (Have you been praised at work recently?)"

"你觉得老师应该多表扬学生吗？ (Do you think teachers should praise students more?)"

"你小时候最难忘的一次表扬是什么？ (What was your most memorable praise as a child?)"

"如果你的同事做得很好，你会公开表扬他吗？ (If your colleague does well, will you praise them publicly?)"

"你认为‘表扬’和‘奖励’哪个更重要？ (Do you think 'praise' or 'reward' is more important?)"

Journal Prompts

写一写你最近一次受到表扬的经历，以及当时的感受。 (Write about the last time you were praised and how you felt.)

探讨一下在中国文化中，‘表扬’对一个人的成长有什么影响。 (Discuss the impact of 'praise' on growth in Chinese culture.)

如果你是一名经理，你会如何通过表扬来激励你的团队？ (If you were a manager, how would you use praise to motivate your team?)

比较一下‘表扬’和‘批评’在教育中的作用。 (Compare the roles of 'praise' and 'criticism' in education.)

写一封表扬信给你的一位朋友，感谢他/她对你的帮助。 (Write a letter of commendation to a friend, thanking them for their help.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that's generally considered impolite because '表扬' implies you are in a position to judge their performance. Use '称赞' (praise) or '佩服' (admire) instead.

It is a formal letter written to commend someone's good deeds. For example, a customer might write one to a store manager to praise a helpful employee.

No. For religious contexts, use '赞美' (zànměi), as in '赞美主' (Praise the Lord).

They are very similar. '受到' is slightly more formal and passive. '得到' is more common in general speech.

Yes. In the sentence '他得到了表扬,' '表扬' acts as a noun meaning 'praise' or 'commendation'.

Self-praise ('自我表扬') is usually seen as arrogant or humorous in Chinese culture. Modesty is preferred.

Use '公开表扬' (gōngkāi biǎoyáng).

Extremely. It is one of the primary ways teachers motivate students in China.

No. Use '赞美' (zànměi) for beauty or nature. '表扬' is for human actions and merit.

It is an official circular or announcement sent out to praise someone, common in government and large companies.