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B1 noun #3,500 most common 11 min read

报酬

baochou Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 报酬 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 报酬 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 报酬 (bàochou) is a formal word for 'money you get for working.' Think of it as a more grown-up version of '钱' (qián - money). While you might say 'I want money' as a beginner, a more polite way to talk about getting paid for a small job is using 报酬. For example, if you help someone clean their house, the money they give you is the 报酬. It is a noun, so you 'get' it (得到报酬) or 'give' it (给报酬). It’s important to recognize it in simple sentences about jobs or help. Don't worry about the complex characters yet; just remember the sound 'bàochou' and its connection to working and getting something back. It’s like a 'thank you' in the form of money or a gift for a task you did.

At the A2 level, you should start distinguishing 报酬 from other words like '工资' (gōngzī - salary). While 工资 is what you get every month from a boss, 报酬 is more general. You can use 报酬 for one-time tasks, like translating a page or fixing a computer for a neighbor. You will often see it with simple adjectives like '高' (gāo - high) or '低' (dī - low). For example, '这份工作的报酬很高' (The pay for this job is high). You should also know the basic verb pairings: '得到报酬' (to get pay) and '支付报酬' (to pay compensation). It's a useful word when you are talking about part-time jobs or helping others for a fee. It sounds more professional than just saying '钱'.

As a B1 learner, you should understand that 报酬 is the standard term for 'remuneration' or 'compensation.' It covers not just cash, but the total reward for services. You should be able to use it in professional contexts, such as discussing a project's terms or a job offer. This is the level where you learn common phrases like '劳动报酬' (labor remuneration) and '获得合理的报酬' (receive reasonable compensation). You should also understand its use in abstract contexts, like '精神报酬' (spiritual reward/satisfaction). You are expected to use it as a noun in more complex sentences, perhaps using '虽然...但是...' structures: '虽然工作很累，但是报酬很丰厚' (Although the work is tiring, the compensation is very generous).

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 报酬 in formal writing and business negotiations. You should understand the nuance between 报酬 and its synonyms like 酬金 (honorarium) or 酬劳 (recompense). You should be able to discuss labor rights, such as '同工同酬' (equal pay for equal work), which is a very important social concept. You should also recognize the word in more literary or formal settings, such as contracts or academic articles about economics. At this level, you should avoid the common mistake of confusing 报酬 (compensation) with 报答 (repay a favor) or 报复 (revenge). You should be able to use sophisticated adjectives like '优厚' (generous), '微薄' (meager), or '不计报酬' (regardless of reward) to describe someone's attitude toward work.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 报酬 should include its legal and philosophical implications. You should be able to use it in discussions about the value of labor, the ethics of the gig economy, and the psychological motivations behind work. You should understand how 报酬 fits into broader economic terms like '要素报酬' (factor returns) in economics. You should be able to use the word with precision in formal debates or high-level business proposals. For example, you might discuss the '报酬递减规律' (law of diminishing returns). Your usage should be flawless, and you should be able to explain the subtle differences between 报酬 and technical terms like 劳务费 (service fee) or 薪酬 (compensation package - a more modern, corporate term).

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 报酬. You can appreciate its use in classical-style modern prose and understand its historical evolution from the character '酬' (toasting wine). You can use it metaphorically in complex philosophical arguments about life and effort. You are also aware of the most formal legal applications of the term in the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China. You can navigate the most sensitive negotiations involving 报酬 with the appropriate level of formality and cultural tact. You understand the socio-economic history of the term, from the planned economy era to the modern market economy, and how the concept of '劳动报酬' has evolved in Chinese society.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

报酬 in 30 Seconds

报酬 is a formal Chinese noun meaning compensation or reward for work performed.
It is broader than 'salary' (工资) and can include money, goods, or abstract benefits.
Commonly used in professional contracts, gig work negotiations, and discussions about labor rights.
It emphasizes the fair exchange of value between two parties in a transactional relationship.

The word 报酬 (bàochou) is a foundational concept in Chinese social and professional interaction, representing the fundamental exchange of value. At its core, it refers to the compensation, payment, or reward given to someone in return for their labor, services, or contributions. Unlike more specific terms like 'salary' (工资), which implies a recurring monthly payment, 报酬 is a much broader umbrella term. It encompasses not only monetary payments but also material goods, services in kind, or even abstract rewards. When you use this word, you are focusing on the reciprocal nature of the relationship—one person acts, and the other provides a counter-value.

Etymological Root: The first character '报' (bào) means to report or to repay, suggesting a response to an action. The second character '酬' (chóu) historically referred to the act of offering wine to a guest in return for their toast, evolving to mean reward or compensation. Together, they signify a formal and balanced return for effort expended.
Professional Context: In modern China, 报酬 is the standard term used in legal contracts and labor laws to describe 'remuneration.' It is the formal way to discuss what a worker is owed, covering base pay, bonuses, and benefits collectively.

他付出了很多努力，理应得到相应的报酬。(He put in a lot of effort and deserves the corresponding reward/payment.)

Example of 报酬 in a merit-based context.

You will encounter this word most frequently when discussing terms of employment, freelance gigs, or even volunteer work where the 'reward' might be non-monetary. It carries a tone of fairness and social obligation. If someone works for you, the '报酬' is the ethical and legal fulfillment of your side of the bargain. It is also used in psychological or sociological discussions to describe 'intrinsic' versus 'extrinsic' rewards—for instance, the emotional 报酬 one gets from helping others.

这家公司提供的报酬非常丰厚。(The compensation provided by this company is very generous.)

In a broader sense, 报酬 can also appear in literature or everyday philosophy. It can refer to the 'repayment' from life or fate. For example, 'goodness has its rewards' (善有善报) uses the first character '报' in a similar vein. However, in modern daily conversation, 90% of the time, 报酬 refers to the money or benefits you get for doing a job. It is a neutral word, neither inherently positive nor negative, but highly dependent on the adjectives that precede it, such as '合理的' (reasonable), '微薄的' (meager), or '优厚的' (generous).

Grammar Tip: 报酬 is a noun. It is commonly paired with verbs like 支付 (zhīfù - to pay), 获得 (huòdé - to obtain), 索取 (suǒqǔ - to ask for/demand), and 要求 (yāoqiú - to request).

Using 报酬 correctly requires understanding its role as a formal noun. It rarely functions as a verb on its own in modern Mandarin; instead, it acts as the object of a transaction. The most common sentence structure involves a subject providing or receiving this compensation. Because it covers more than just a monthly salary, it is the perfect word to use when describing a one-time payment for a project, a commission, or a reward for finding a lost item.

如果你能帮我找到这只猫，我会给你一笔额外的报酬。(If you can help me find this cat, I will give you an extra reward/payment.)

In this example, 报酬 is used for a specific task rather than ongoing employment. This versatility is key. When discussing employment contracts, you will often see the phrase '劳动报酬' (láodòng bàochou), which literally means 'labor remuneration.' This is the legal term for any money earned through work. In a sentence: '雇主必须按时支付劳动报酬' (Employers must pay labor remuneration on time).

Common Verb Pairings

支付 (zhīfù) 报酬: To pay compensation (Formal).
获得 (huòdé) 报酬: To receive/obtain compensation.
索取 (suǒqǔ) 报酬: To demand or ask for payment (often implies a sense of entitlement).
计取 (jìqǔ) 报酬: To calculate compensation based on a specific rate.

Another important usage pattern is the 'modifier + 报酬' structure. Because 报酬 is a neutral noun, you must add adjectives to give it flavor. If the pay is high, use '丰厚的' (fēnghòu de) or '优厚的' (yōuhòu de). If it is low, use '微薄的' (wēibó de). If it is fair, use '合理的' (hélǐ de). This allows for nuanced descriptions of job offers or business deals.

他不在乎报酬的高低，更看重工作的意义。(He doesn't care about the level of compensation; he values the meaning of the work more.)

When writing formally, you can use 报酬 to summarize a complex package of benefits. For instance, in a job advertisement: '本职位提供具有竞争力的报酬和福利' (This position offers competitive compensation and benefits). Here, 报酬 refers to the salary and bonuses, while 福利 refers to insurance, vacation time, and other perks. Using the word in this way demonstrates a high level of Chinese proficiency, as it moves beyond the basic 'money' (钱) or 'salary' (工资) vocabulary of a beginner.

没有任何报酬的加班是不合法的。(Overtime without any compensation is illegal.)

You will encounter 报酬 in several specific environments, ranging from the highly formal to the surprisingly everyday. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the 'vibe' of the word. It is rarely used in casual banter between close friends when asking 'How much do you make?' (where '工资' or '月薪' would be used), but it is the star of the show in more structured scenarios.

1. The Workplace and Recruitment: In HR meetings, job interviews, and offer letters, 报酬 is the standard term. An HR manager might ask, '你对报酬有什么要求？' (What are your requirements for compensation?). This is more polite and professional than asking 'How much money do you want?'. It encompasses the entire value proposition of the role.
2. Legal and Contractual Settings: Every labor contract in China will have a section on '劳动报酬'. If there is a dispute over unpaid wages, the legal filings will refer to the '报酬' owed. You will also hear it in news reports about labor rights or minimum wage adjustments.

双方在报酬问题上达成了协议。(Both parties reached an agreement on the issue of compensation.)

Beyond the office, 报酬 appears in the gig economy. If you are hiring a freelance designer, a translator, or a tutor for a one-off task, the payment you agree upon is the 报酬. It feels more appropriate for 'services rendered' than 'salary.' For example, a poster for a lost dog might say: '必有重谢，报酬面议' (A heavy reward is guaranteed; compensation to be discussed in person). This is a very common phrase in 'lost and found' notices.

You will also hear it in the context of 'unpaid' work. When people talk about volunteering (志愿者工作), they often emphasize that it is '无报酬的' (wú bàochou de - without compensation). This highlights the altruistic nature of the act. In a social context, if someone does you a huge favor and you want to offer them money or a gift as a 'thank you,' you might say, '这是一点小小的报酬，请收下' (This is a small token of compensation/reward, please accept it). While '报答' (repayment of kindness) is more common here, 报酬 can be used if the favor involved significant professional-grade labor.

志愿者们不计报酬地为社区服务。(Volunteers serve the community regardless of reward.)

Finally, in the digital world, you might see this word on crowdsourcing platforms or bounty-style websites. A task might be listed with a '报酬' of 500 RMB. This reinforces the idea of a specific reward for a specific output. Whether you are reading a contract, negotiating a freelance rate, or discussing the philosophy of work, 报酬 is the precise, professional term that covers all forms of 'getting something back' for what you give.

While 报酬 is a versatile word, English speakers often trip up by using it in places where more specific terms are required, or by confusing it with words that look or sound similar. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Chinese sound more natural and precise.

Mistake 1: Confusing 报酬 with 报答 (bàodá): This is the most frequent error. Both involve 'repaying,' but they belong to different worlds. 报酬 is about compensation for work or services (transactional). 报答 is about repaying kindness, a favor, or love (emotional/relational). You wouldn't give your parents '报酬' for raising you; you would '报答' them. Conversely, a boss doesn't '报答' you for your work; they pay you '报酬'.
Mistake 2: Confusing 报酬 with 报复 (bàofù): Be careful with the second character! 报复 means 'revenge' or 'retaliation.' Mixing these up can lead to very awkward situations. One is getting paid for your hard work; the other is getting back at an enemy. Always check the character '酬' (reward) vs '复' (return/repeat).

Correct: 工作的报酬 (Reward for work)
Incorrect: 工作的报答 (Repaying a favor for work - sounds strange)

Another mistake is using 报酬 too casually. If you are at a restaurant with friends and want to say 'I'll pay for the meal,' you would never use the word 报酬. 报酬 implies a formal exchange for labor. For a meal, you just say '我买单' (wǒ mǎidān) or '我付钱' (wǒ fùqián). Using 报酬 here would make it sound like your friends performed a service for you and you are compensating them, which is socially bizarre.

Finally, don't confuse 报酬 with 酬劳 (chóuláo). While they are very similar and often interchangeable, 酬劳 is slightly more informal and often refers to a smaller 'thank you' payment for a specific task or a tip-like reward. 报酬 is the broader, more formal, and more 'official' term. If you are talking about your legal rights, 报酬 is the only choice. If you are giving a friend a few bucks for helping you move boxes, 酬劳 might feel a bit more natural, though 报酬 is still perfectly fine.

Wrong: 他报酬了我。(He 'compensated' me - using it as a verb).
Right: 他给了我一份丰厚的报酬。(He gave me a generous compensation.)

To truly master 报酬, you need to know its 'neighbors' in the Chinese vocabulary of money and rewards. Chinese has many words for 'payment,' and choosing the right one depends on the context of the work and the formality of the situation.

报酬 (bàochou) vs. 工资 (gōngzī): 工资 is specifically 'salary' or 'wages.' It usually refers to the fixed amount of money an employee receives every month. 报酬 is broader; it includes salary, but also bonuses, one-time payments for a gig, or even non-monetary rewards. If you are a freelancer, you get 报酬. If you have a 9-to-5 job, you get a 工资.
报酬 (bàochou) vs. 酬金 (chóujīn): 酬金 specifically refers to a sum of money (金) paid as a reward or fee. While 报酬 can be anything of value, 酬金 is always cash. It is often used for honorariums (e.g., payment for a guest lecture) or finder's fees.
报酬 (bàochou) vs. 奖金 (jiǎngjīn): 奖金 means 'bonus' or 'prize money.' This is money given in addition to the regular 报酬 as a reward for excellence. You receive 报酬 for doing the job; you receive 奖金 for doing the job exceptionally well.

Comparison: 他每个月的工资是五千元，但通过加班，他能获得额外的报酬。(His monthly salary is 5,000 yuan, but through overtime, he can obtain extra compensation.)

Other alternatives include 薪水 (xīnshuǐ), a slightly more literary or old-fashioned way to say salary (literally 'firewood and water'), and 劳务费 (láowùfèi), which is a very technical term for 'service fees' used in accounting and taxes. If you are talking about a tip in a restaurant, you use 小费 (xiǎofèi), never 报酬.

In summary, choose your word based on the 'type' of payment:
- Regular job? 工资 or 薪水.
- Extra reward for excellence? 奖金.
- General compensation for effort? 报酬.
- Money for a specific professional service? 酬金.
- A small tip? 小费.
- Repaying a favor emotionally? 报答.

医生救了我的命，我无法用金钱来报答他。(The doctor saved my life; I cannot repay him with money. - Note the use of 报答 here for life-saving kindness!)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '酬' (chóu) contains the '酉' (yǒu) radical, which represents a wine vessel. This tells us that the original 'reward' in ancient China was often a good drink!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /baʊ tʃoʊ/

US /baʊ tʃoʊ/

Primary stress on the first syllable 'Bào'.

Rhymes With

傲 (ào) 到 (dào) 笑 (xiào) 筹 (chóu) 流 (liú) 秋 (qiū) 柔 (róu) 油 (yóu)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'chou' as 'zhou'.
Using the wrong tone for 'bào' (e.g., 3rd tone instead of 4th).
Confusing 'chou' with 'chao'.
Failing to distinguish the 'ch' sound from 'j'.
Reading both syllables with 4th tones.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are moderately complex but very common in news and business.

Writing 4/5

The character '酬' is tricky to write correctly (don't forget the wine radical!).

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce once you master the 'ch' sound and the 4th-2nd tone combo.

Listening 2/5

Very distinct sound; unlikely to be confused with other common words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

工作钱给得到劳动

Learn Next

薪酬福利合同待遇法律

Advanced

报酬递减边际效用分配制度劳务关系

Grammar to Know

The use of '获得' vs '得到' with 报酬.

他获得了(formal) / 得到了(neutral) 报酬。

Adjective placement with nouns.

丰厚的报酬 (Generous reward).

Resultative complements with payment verbs.

报酬付清了 (The reward is paid off).

The '...的' structure for defining types of pay.

额外的报酬 (Extra reward).

Preposition '按' (according to).

按劳分配报酬 (Distribute reward according to labor).

Examples by Level

工作有报酬吗？

Is there pay for the work?

Simple question with '有...吗'.

我给你报酬。

I will give you payment.

Subject + verb + indirect object + direct object.

这份报酬很小。

This payment is very small.

Subject + adjective.

他没有得到报酬。

He did not get paid.

Negative '没有' + verb.

谢谢你的报酬。

Thank you for your payment.

Noun used as an object of thanks.

报酬是多少？

How much is the pay?

Question about quantity.

这是你的报酬。

This is your payment.

Simple identification sentence.

我想要报酬。

I want payment.

Subject + want + noun.

帮我洗车有报酬。

There is a reward for helping me wash the car.

Verb phrase acting as a condition.

我不计报酬地帮你。

I will help you regardless of reward.

Adverbial phrase '不计报酬地'.

你想要什么样的报酬？

What kind of reward do you want?

Question with '什么样的'.

他因为报酬太低离开了。

He left because the pay was too low.

Cause and effect with '因为'.

我们应该支付合理的报酬。

We should pay a reasonable reward.

Modal verb '应该'.

通过努力，他获得了报酬。

Through hard work, he obtained a reward.

Prepositional phrase '通过'.

如果你做得好，报酬会更高。

If you do well, the pay will be higher.

Conditional '如果...就'.

这是对他工作的报酬。

This is the reward for his work.

Possessive structure.

双方正在商量报酬的问题。

Both parties are discussing the issue of compensation.

Present continuous with '正在'.

除了金钱，你还有别的报酬吗？

Besides money, do you have other rewards?

Structure '除了...还'.

他要求增加劳动报酬。

He requested an increase in labor remuneration.

Specific term '劳动报酬'.

这家公司提供的报酬非常丰厚。

The compensation provided by this company is very generous.

Adjective '丰厚'.

没有任何报酬的加班是不合理的。

Overtime without any compensation is unreasonable.

Complex subject with '的'.

他不在乎报酬，只要能学到东西。

He doesn't care about the reward, as long as he can learn something.

Conjunction '只要'.

我们要按劳取酬。

We should be paid according to our work.

Idiomatic four-character phrase '按劳取酬'.

合同里明确规定了报酬的支付方式。

The contract clearly stipulates the payment method for compensation.

Passive/stative with '规定了'.

他认为精神报酬比物质报酬更重要。

He believes spiritual rewards are more important than material rewards.

Comparison between abstract and concrete nouns.

公司必须依法支付员工的报酬。

The company must pay employees' compensation according to the law.

Adverbial '依法' (according to law).

如果不给报酬，谁愿意干这种苦差事？

If no reward is given, who would be willing to do such a drudgery?

Rhetorical question.

志愿者们通常是没有报酬的。

Volunteers are usually without compensation.

State of being with '是...的'.

他索取了高额的咨询报酬。

He demanded a high consulting fee.

Verb '索取' (demand/ask for).

这份工作的报酬与风险成正比。

The reward of this job is proportional to the risk.

Mathematical relation phrase '成正比'.

由于报酬不均，员工们产生了不满。

Due to unequal pay, employees became dissatisfied.

Cause '由于' and result '产生了'.

他终于得到了应得的报酬。

He finally got the reward he deserved.

Adjective phrase '应得的' (deserved).

同工同酬是劳动法的一项基本原则。

Equal pay for equal work is a basic principle of labor law.

Legal terminology.

在知识产权领域，合理的报酬是创新的动力。

In the field of intellectual property, reasonable compensation is the driving force for innovation.

Abstract social-economic context.

他拒绝接受任何形式的非法报酬。

He refused to accept any form of illegal compensation.

Formal verb '拒绝' and '形式'.

我们需要重新评估这个项目的报酬体系。

We need to re-evaluate the compensation system of this project.

Corporate jargon '体系' (system).

报酬的多少往往取决于市场需求。

The amount of compensation often depends on market demand.

Subject as a quantity '报酬的多少'.

他以极低的报酬完成了这项艰巨的任务。

He completed this arduous task for extremely low compensation.

Preposition '以' meaning 'with/for'.

这种报酬结构旨在激励员工的长期表现。

This compensation structure is designed to incentivize employees' long-term performance.

Formal structure '旨在' (aims to).

法律保障劳动者获得报酬的权利。

The law protects the right of workers to receive compensation.

Abstract legal right '...的权利'.

报酬不仅是物质的交换，更是价值的认可。

Compensation is not just a material exchange, but an acknowledgment of value.

Philosophical '不仅是...更是...'.

在宏观经济学中，报酬递减规律是一个核心概念。

In macroeconomics, the law of diminishing returns is a core concept.

Technical academic term.

他那不计报酬的奉献精神深深打动了所有人。

His spirit of selfless dedication deeply moved everyone.

Complex noun phrase with '奉献精神'.

契约精神要求我们严格履行关于报酬的约定。

The spirit of contract requires us to strictly fulfill the agreement regarding compensation.

High-level vocabulary '契约精神' and '履行'.

报酬的高低在一定程度上反映了社会的公平度。

The level of compensation reflects the degree of social fairness to some extent.

Social analysis phrasing.

他通过法律途径追讨被拖欠的报酬。

He sought to recover the arrears of compensation through legal channels.

Legal action phrase '追讨被拖欠的'.

这种隐性报酬往往比显性报酬更能留住人才。

This kind of implicit reward is often more effective at retaining talent than explicit reward.

Sophisticated adjectives '隐性' and '显性'.

报酬制度的变革折射出时代的发展与进步。

The transformation of the compensation system reflects the development and progress of the times.

Literary verb '折射' (reflects/refracts).

Synonyms

酬劳回报酬金待遇薪酬

Antonyms

无偿义务

Common Collocations

支付报酬

获得报酬

合理的报酬

劳动报酬

精神报酬

索取报酬

报酬优厚

报酬微薄

不计报酬

报酬标准

Common Phrases

等价报酬

— Equal or equivalent compensation. Used in business to ensure fairness.

我们追求劳动的等价报酬。

额外报酬

— Extra pay. Money given on top of the agreed amount.

加班会有额外报酬。

相应报酬

— Corresponding reward. Payment that matches the effort.

付出必有相应报酬。

物质报酬

— Material reward. Tangible things like money or goods.

不要只看重物质报酬。

按劳取酬

— To be paid according to one's work. A socialist principle.

社会的基本原则是按劳取酬。

面议报酬

— Compensation to be discussed in person. Common in job ads.

报酬面议，待遇从优。

名誉报酬

— Honorary reward. Recognition or fame instead of money.

这次活动只提供名誉报酬。

固定报酬

— Fixed compensation. A set amount that doesn't change.

他每个月有固定报酬。

报酬体系

— Compensation system. How a company structures pay.

健全的报酬体系很重要。

延迟报酬

— Delayed gratification/reward. Getting paid later.

有些工作是延迟报酬的。

Often Confused With

报酬 vs 报答

报答 is for favors/kindness; 报酬 is for work/services.

报酬 vs 报复

报复 means revenge; don't let the similar sounds fool you!

报酬 vs 报销

报销 means to get reimbursed for expenses, not a reward for work.

Idioms & Expressions

"不计报酬"

— To work without considering the reward. Selfless.

他为灾区不计报酬地劳动。

Commendatory

"按劳取酬"

— Distribution according to work. Fair pay.

按劳取酬是公平的体现。

Formal

"同工同酬"

— Equal pay for equal work. Social justice.

我们要实现男女同工同酬。

Legal/Social

"报酬递减"

— Diminishing returns. An economic law.

项目进入了报酬递减阶段。

Academic

"厚报"

— To reward generously (shortened form).

若能寻回，必当厚报。

Literary

"酬功给赏"

— To reward for achievements and services.

将军对部下酬功给赏。

Classical

"以劳定酬"

— Determine pay based on labor.

公司实行以劳定酬的制度。

Formal

"投桃报李"

— Return a favor with a favor (idiom for reciprocity).

朋友之间应该投桃报李。

Literary

"善有善报"

— Good deeds are rewarded with good.

相信善有善报，恶有恶报。

Proverb

"酬酢"

— Social intercourse or toasting (etymological root).

他在宴会上忙于酬酢。

Archaic

Easily Confused

报酬 vs 酬金

Both mean payment.

酬金 is strictly money; 报酬 is broader.

演讲酬金 (Speaker fee) vs 劳动报酬 (Labor compensation).

报酬 vs 工资

Both relate to work pay.

工资 is a regular salary; 报酬 covers all work-related rewards.

月工资 (Monthly salary) vs 兼职报酬 (Part-time pay).

报酬 vs 酬劳

Very similar meaning.

酬劳 is slightly more informal and often smaller scale.

给点酬劳 (Give some recompense).

报酬 vs 奖金

Both are extra money.

奖金 is a bonus for performance; 报酬 is the base payment for the job.

年度奖金 (Year-end bonus).

报酬 vs 薪水

Old/common term for pay.

薪水 is specifically salary; 报酬 is the formal category of compensation.

领薪水 (Get a paycheck).

Sentence Patterns

我有报酬。

给[someone]报酬。

给他报酬。

[Task]的报酬是[Amount]。

洗车的报酬是五十元。

虽然...但是报酬...

虽然累，但是报酬高。

不计报酬地[Verb]。

他不计报酬地工作。

报酬与[Noun]成正比。

报酬与风险成正比。

旨在[Verb]报酬体系。

旨在优化报酬体系。

报酬折射出[Abstract Noun]。

报酬折射出社会公平。

Word Family

Nouns

报酬

报答

报告

酬金

酬劳

Verbs

报酬 (rare)

报答

酬谢

报销

Adjectives

有偿

无偿

工资

奖金

薪水

福利

劳动

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely common in professional and legal contexts; moderate in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Using 报酬 for a favor. → 报答
If someone saves your life, you '报答' them. If they fix your roof for money, you give them '报酬'.
Using 报酬 as a verb. → 给予报酬
报酬 is a noun in modern Mandarin. You must use it with a verb like '给' or '支付'.
Confusing 报酬 with 报复. → 报酬
报复 (bàofù) means revenge. One is a paycheck, the other is a punch in the face!
Using 报酬 for a restaurant tip. → 小费
报酬 is too formal for a tip. Use '小费' (xiǎofèi) for services in hospitality.
Writing 酬 with the 'west' radical. → 酬 (with 酉)
The 'wine' radical 酉 has an extra line. It is essential for the character's meaning of reward/toasting.

Tips

Use in Contracts

Always look for '劳动报酬' in any Chinese contract you sign. It's the legal term for your pay.

Negotiating

When negotiating, say '我希望获得合理的报酬' (I hope to receive reasonable compensation) to sound professional.

Noun Only

Remember 报酬 is a noun. Don't say 'I will 报酬 you.' Say 'I will give you 报酬.'

Synonym Choice

Use 薪酬 (xīnchóu) for high-level corporate talk, but sticking to 报酬 is always safe.

Gift-giving

If giving a gift for a favor, you can say '这是一点小小的报酬' to be humble, but '报答' is more emotional.

Wine Reward

The radical in 酬 is 'wine.' Think of a reward as a celebratory drink after work.

Check the Radical

Make sure the left side of 酬 is 酉 (wine), not 西 (west). It has an extra horizontal stroke inside.

Contextual Clues

If you hear 'bào' followed by a second syllable, and the context is money, it's 99% 报酬.

Economic Terms

In economics, use 报酬 for 'returns,' as in '报酬递减' (diminishing returns).

Selflessness

Use '不计报酬' to describe a hero or a very dedicated volunteer.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Bào sounds like 'Bow' (as in bowing to thank someone) and Chou sounds like 'Chew' (as in food/wine given as a reward). You bow and they give you something to chew!

Visual Association

Imagine a worker handing over a report (报) and receiving a bottle of wine (酬 - the wine vessel radical) as their reward.

Word Web

Money Work Reward Contract Salary Value Service Fairness

Challenge

Try to use 报酬 in a sentence today when talking about your job, but make sure not to use the word 'money'!

Word Origin

The term comes from the combination of '报' (to report/repay) and '酬' (to reward/toast). '报' dates back to oracle bone script, depicting a person being punished or responding to a decree. '酬' specifically refers to the ritual of returning a toast with wine.

Original meaning: Originally, it referred to the social ritual of reciprocating a gesture, specifically in the context of drinking and hosting guests.

Sino-Tibetan / Chinese.

Cultural Context

Avoid using 报酬 when talking about gifts to parents or elders; use '报答' (repay kindness) instead to avoid sounding transactional.

English speakers often use 'pay' or 'salary' for everything. Using 'remuneration' or 'compensation' is the closest equivalent to the formal tone of 报酬.

The Chinese Labor Law (劳动法) uses 报酬 as the primary term for worker pay. The idiom '不计报酬' is a common praise in Chinese state media for exemplary workers. In the novel 'The Rickshaw Boy' (骆驼祥子), the struggle for fair 报酬 is a central theme.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Interview

你对报酬有什么期望？
报酬包括奖金吗？
报酬是税前还是税后？
我们可以商量报酬。

Freelancing

这个项目的报酬是多少？
我需要先付一部分报酬。
报酬会在完成后支付。
报酬太低了，我不接。

Legal Dispute

他拖欠我的报酬。
我要求合理的劳动报酬。
合同规定了报酬。
依法追讨报酬。

Volunteering

这是无报酬的工作。
我不计报酬。
志愿者的报酬是快乐。
没有任何报酬。

Lost and Found

必有重谢，报酬面议。
酬金五百元。
这是一点小小的报酬。
请收下这份报酬。

Conversation Starters

"你觉得在你的行业里，什么样的报酬才算合理？"

"你曾经做过不计报酬的工作吗？感觉如何？"

"除了金钱，你认为工作中最重要的报酬是什么？"

"如果你发现同事的报酬比你高，你会怎么办？"

"你认为精神报酬真的能代替物质报酬吗？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你第一份工作的报酬。你当时用那笔钱做了什么？

讨论一下‘同工同酬’在现代社会的重要性。

如果你可以设计一个完美的报酬体系，它会是什么样子的？

描述一次你获得‘精神报酬’的经历。它为什么让你难忘？

谈谈你对‘不计报酬’这种奉献精神的看法。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, 报酬 can include goods, services, or even abstract rewards like 'spiritual satisfaction' (精神报酬). This makes it broader than words like 'salary' or 'wages.' For example, a volunteer might say their 报酬 is the experience they gained.

It is professional to discuss 报酬, but usually later in the process. Using the word 报酬 instead of 'money' (钱) makes the conversation sound more like a negotiation of professional value rather than a demand for cash.

They are very close. 报酬 is more formal and used in legal/business contexts. 酬劳 is slightly more casual and often refers to a smaller 'thank you' reward for a specific favor or task.

In modern Chinese, 报酬 is almost exclusively a noun. You should use a verb like '支付' (pay) or '给予' (give) with it. For example, '支付报酬' (to pay compensation).

It is a common idiom meaning 'regardless of reward.' It describes someone who works selflessly or volunteers their time without expecting any payment or return.

The standard phrase is '同工同酬' (tóng gōng tóng chóu). It's a very common term in discussions about gender equality and labor rights.

No, tips in a restaurant are called '小费' (xiǎofèi). 报酬 is too formal for a tip.

It literally means 'spiritual reward.' It refers to the non-material benefits of an activity, such as happiness, personal growth, or the satisfaction of helping others.

In terms of work, the opposite is '无偿' (wúcháng), which means 'without compensation' or 'pro bono.' Another opposite could be '义务' (yìwù), meaning 'obligation' or 'duty' performed for free.

Most learners find 酬 harder because of the 'wine' radical (酉) and the complex right side. 报 is a more basic character learned earlier.