This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 verb/noun #1,900 most common 6 min read

补充

buchong Top 1,900

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 补充 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 补充 in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of 补充 (bǔchōng) as a simple way to say 'add more' or 'get more.' You might hear it when talking about basic needs like food or water. Imagine you are playing a game and your energy bar is low; you need to 补充 energy. Or if you are thirsty, you 补充 water. It is a helpful word for describing how you fix a small lack of something. Even though it's a B1 word, you can understand it as 'filling up' something that is empty. For example, '补充水' (add water). Focus on the physical meaning of adding things you can see and touch, like food, water, or toys in a box. It's like saying 'I need more' because what I have is not enough.

At the A2 level, 补充 (bǔchōng) starts to appear in more common phrases related to health and daily routines. You might learn it in the context of '补充营养' (supplementing nutrition) or '补充睡眠' (catching up on sleep). It's no longer just about physical objects but also about things like time and health. You can use it to explain why you are doing something extra. For example, 'I am eating fruit to 补充 vitamins.' It helps you connect an action with a purpose—filling a need. You might also hear it in a classroom when a teacher asks if anyone wants to add a word to a list. It's a step up from just saying 'add' (加) because it implies that the addition makes the whole thing better or more complete.

At the B1 level, you should master 补充 (bǔchōng) in both professional and daily contexts. This is the level where the word is most formally introduced. You should be able to use it as a verb to add information to a conversation ('让我补充一下') and as a noun to describe supplementary materials ('补充材料'). You'll recognize that 补充 is the standard word for 'replenishing' resources in a business or logistics setting. You should also start to distinguish it from '增加' (to increase). While '增加' is about quantity, 补充 is about necessity and completion. If a report is missing a page, you 补充 it. If a team is missing a member, you 补充 the staff. It's about restoring a balance or reaching a required level.

At the B2 level, you will encounter 补充 (bǔchōng) in complex grammatical structures and more abstract fields like law, economics, and advanced science. You'll see terms like '补充协议' (supplementary agreement) in contracts or '补充规定' (supplementary provisions) in legal documents. You should understand the nuance of using 补充 to provide a 'complementary' perspective in an argument. For instance, in an essay, you might write how one theory 补充 another. You are expected to use the word accurately in formal writing and debates. You should also be familiar with related terms like '补充剂' (supplements/pills) and understand the difference between 补充 and more specific words like '填补' (to fill a void) or '弥补' (to make up for a mistake).

At the C1 level, 补充 (bǔchōng) is used with high precision in academic and literary contexts. You will see it used to describe the 'interplay' or 'mutual supplementation' of complex ideas (相辅相成，互相补充). It often appears in discussions about systemic balance, such as how different sectors of an economy 补充 each other. You should be able to use it to describe subtle additions to a philosophical argument or a scientific model. At this level, you also recognize its use in classical-leaning four-character phrases or formal idioms. The word becomes a tool for expressing sophisticated relationships between parts of a whole. You might analyze how a secondary plot in a novel 补充 the main theme, providing a richer understanding of the work.

At the C2 level, 补充 (bǔchōng) is a fundamental building block for discussing systemic integrity and holistic structures. You will encounter it in high-level policy documents, philosophical treatises, and technical white papers. It is used to describe the 'recursive replenishment' of systems or the 'supplementary nature' of existence in certain philosophical schools. You can use it to articulate how different cultural elements 补充 and enrich a national identity. Your usage should be indistinguishable from a native speaker, knowing exactly when 补充 is the most elegant choice compared to its synonyms. You might use it in a rhetorical sense to humble your own contribution ('这只是一点微小的补充') or to highlight the critical necessity of a missing piece in a grand strategy.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

补充 in 30 Seconds

补充 (bǔchōng) means to supplement or replenish.
It is used for physical needs (water, energy) and information (details, explanations).
Grammatically, it acts as a verb (to add) or a noun (an addition).
It implies making something complete by filling a gap or deficiency.

The Chinese word 补充 (bǔchōng) is a versatile term that functions as both a verb and a noun. At its core, it describes the action of adding something extra to a pre-existing entity to make it complete, sufficient, or improved. It is often translated as 'to supplement,' 'to replenish,' 'to add,' or 'to complement.' Understanding this word requires looking at its two constituent characters: 补 (bǔ), which means to mend, patch, or repair, and 充 (chōng), which means to fill or satisfy. Together, they create a sense of 'filling a gap' or 'patching up a deficiency.'

Physical Replenishment: This is perhaps the most common usage in daily life. It refers to restoring physical resources that have been depleted. For example, after exercise, you need to 补充水分 (replenish water) or 补充体力 (restore physical strength). It implies that the body was at a deficit and is now being brought back to a healthy level.
Informational Supplementation: In professional and academic settings, 补充 is used when adding more details to a statement or report. If a speaker finishes their presentation and someone else adds a few more points, that person is making a 补充说明 (supplementary explanation). It suggests that the original information was good but not exhaustive.
Structural or Resource Addition: In organizational contexts, it refers to adding personnel or supplies. If a team is short-staffed, the manager might 补充人手 (add manpower). If a store is out of stock, they need to 补充货源 (replenish stock). Here, the focus is on maintaining the operational capacity of a system.

运动后，我们需要及时补充水分和能量。
(After exercise, we need to replenish water and energy in a timely manner.)

关于这个问题，我还有几点需要补充。
(Regarding this issue, I have a few more points to add.)

In summary, 补充 is about wholeness. It is used whenever there is a perceived gap—whether that gap is in a person's stomach, a student's knowledge, a company's staff, or a legal contract's clauses. It is a proactive word that moves a situation from 'incomplete' to 'complete.'

Using 补充 (bǔchōng) correctly involves understanding its grammatical flexibility. It can function as a transitive verb (taking an object), an intransitive verb (standing alone), or a noun (representing the supplement itself).

As a Transitive Verb (Verb + Object): This is the most common pattern. The object is usually the thing being added or the thing being filled.
• 补充 + 名词 (Noun): 补充营养 (supplement nutrition), 补充资料 (add materials), 补充兵力 (replenish troops).
As a Noun: When used as a noun, it often appears as the object of verbs like 做 (zuò - to do/make) or 进行 (jìnxíng - to carry out).
• 作为一个补充 (as a supplement).
• 做一些补充 (make some additions).

这篇文章是对前一研究的重要补充。
(This article is an important supplement to the previous research.)

In formal speech, 补充 often appears in the phrase “我补充一下” (Let me add something). This is a polite way to interject in a meeting or conversation to provide extra context without dismissing what the previous speaker said.

请大家在空白处补充完整个人信息。
(Please fill in/supplement your personal information in the blank spaces.)

When writing, 补充 is frequently paired with 说明 (shuōmíng - explanation). A 补充说明 is a common section in contracts or technical manuals, used to clarify points that might be ambiguous in the main text.

You will encounter 补充 (bǔchōng) in a wide variety of social and professional contexts. Its usage ranges from the highly informal to the strictly formal.

In the Workplace: During meetings, you will hear: “谁还有要补充的吗？” (Does anyone have anything else to add?). This is the standard way a chairperson invites further input. In project management, you might hear about 补充预算 (supplementary budget) or 补充协议 (supplementary agreement).
In Sports and Health: Coaches and fitness influencers constantly use this word. “训练后要补充蛋白质” (Supplement protein after training). On sports broadcasts, commentators might talk about a team 补充新鲜血液 (adding fresh blood/new players) to the roster.
In Education: Teachers use 补充教材 (supplementary teaching materials) to provide students with more than just what's in the textbook. Students might be asked to 补充回答 (add to an answer) if their initial response was incomplete.

“我来补充一下刚才王经理提到的那点。”
(“Let me add a point to what Manager Wang just mentioned.”)

In everyday conversation, if you are telling a story and realize you forgot a detail, you might say, “哦，我补充一句...” (Oh, let me add one thing...). It serves as a natural conversational bridge.

While 补充 (bǔchōng) is common, learners often confuse it with other words that mean 'add' or 'fill.' Here are the most frequent pitfalls.

Confusing with 增加 (zēngjiā): 增加 means to increase the quantity or degree of something that is already there. 补充 specifically implies filling a deficiency or making something complete.
• Incorrect: 补充体重 (Supplement weight).
• Correct: 增加体重 (Increase weight).
Confusing with 填充 (tiánchōng): 填充 is more physical and literal, like filling a cushion with feathers or filling a form. 补充 is more abstract or functional.
• 填充 = physical filling.
• 补充 = functional supplementation.
Overusing as a Noun: In English, 'supplement' is very common as a noun (e.g., 'dietary supplements'). In Chinese, while 补充 can be a noun, we often use specific terms like 补充剂 (bǔchōngjì - supplement agent/pill) for vitamins. Just saying “我吃补充” sounds unnatural.

❌ 他的话是对我的增加。
✅ 他的话是对我的补充。
(His words were a supplement to mine.)

To master 补充 (bǔchōng), you must distinguish it from its close synonyms. Each has a specific nuance.

补充 vs. 填补 (tiánbǔ): 填补 is stronger and often used for 'filling a gap' or 'filling a vacancy.' It implies a hole that needs to be plugged.
• 填补空白 (fill a gap/blank).
• 补充 is more about adding extra to what is already there.
补充 vs. 增添 (zēngtiān): 增添 is more poetic or formal, often used for adding atmosphere or beauty.
• 增添色彩 (add color/interest).
• 补充 is more practical and functional.
补充 vs. 完善 (wánshàn): 完善 means to perfect or make something flawless. While 补充 is the action of adding parts, 完善 is the result of making it perfect.
• 补充规定 (supplementary regulations).
• 完善制度 (perfect the system).

Word	Nuance	Example
补充	Add to complete	补充水分
填补	Plug a hole	填补空白
增添	Add flavor/vibe	增添气氛

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements

Transitive vs Intransitive verbs

Nominalization with 的

Serial Verb Constructions

Polite Interjections

Examples by Level

喝水补充水分。

Drink water to replenish water.

Simple Verb + Object structure.

我需要补充能量。

I need to replenish energy.

Subject + Verb + Object.

请补充一点糖。

Please add a little sugar.

Request using '请'.

他在补充食物。

He is replenishing food.

Present continuous context.

书包里补充了笔。

Pens were added to the schoolbag.

Passive-like structure with '了'.

我们需要补充人。

We need to add people.

Using '人' as a simple object for staff.

多吃水果补充营养。

Eat more fruit to supplement nutrition.

Imperative sentence.

补充一点水吧。

Add some water.

Using '吧' for suggestion.

累了就补充一下睡眠。

If you're tired, catch up on some sleep.

Conditional '就' with '一下' for brief action.

老师补充了一个例子。

The teacher added an example.

Past action with '了'.

我要补充我的词汇量。

I want to supplement my vocabulary.

Abstract object '词汇量'.

超市正在补充货源。

The supermarket is replenishing stock.

Professional context: 货源.

他补充说他没时间。

He added that he had no time.

Verb '说' following '补充'.

我们需要补充新鲜空气。

We need to get some fresh air.

Common daily phrase.

这只是一个小补充。

This is just a small addition.

Used as a noun.

请在表格里补充日期。

Please add the date to the form.

Locative '在...里'.

我没有什么要补充的了。

I have nothing more to add.

Common meeting phrase.

我们需要补充一些细节。

We need to add some details.

Abstract object '细节'.

这些资料是对报告的补充。

These materials are a supplement to the report.

Noun usage: '是对...的补充'.

他通过运动补充体力。

He restores his strength through exercise.

Using '通过' (through).

请允许我补充几点意见。

Please allow me to add a few opinions.

Formal request '请允许'.

医生建议他补充维生素。

The doctor suggested he take vitamin supplements.

Medical context.

我们需要补充新的队员。

We need to add new team members.

Personnel context.

这本手册补充了说明书。

This manual supplements the instruction book.

Transitive verb usage.

双方签署了一份补充协议。

Both parties signed a supplementary agreement.

Legal term: 补充协议.

这个发现补充了现有的理论。

This discovery supplements existing theories.

Academic context.

我们需要补充流动资金。

We need to replenish working capital.

Financial term: 流动资金.

他的发言是对我观点的补充。

His speech was a supplement to my viewpoint.

Abstract noun usage.

政府决定补充储备粮。

The government decided to replenish grain reserves.

Policy context.

这篇论文补充了该领域的空白。

This paper filled a gap in the field.

Collocation: 补充/填补空白.

我们需要补充必要的设备。

We need to add necessary equipment.

Resource management.

他补充说明了事故的原因。

He gave a supplementary explanation of the cause of the accident.

Compound verb: 补充说明.

这两者互为补充，相得益彰。

The two complement each other and bring out the best in each.

Idiomatic usage: 互为补充.

该法案的补充条款引起了争议。

The supplementary clauses of the bill caused controversy.

Legal term: 补充条款.

我们需要不断补充新知识以适应变化。

We need to constantly supplement new knowledge to adapt to changes.

Abstract lifelong learning context.

他的研究对史料进行了重要的补充。

His research made important additions to historical materials.

Historical/Academic context.

补充侦查是法律程序的一部分。

Supplementary investigation is part of the legal process.

Legal term: 补充侦查.

这种方法是对传统手段的有益补充。

This method is a beneficial supplement to traditional means.

Comparative context.

他补充了一段极具说服力的论述。

He added a highly persuasive discourse.

Rhetorical context.

为了补充兵员，国家发布了动员令。

To replenish troops, the state issued a mobilization order.

Military/Political context.

这种叙事方式是对宏大叙事的微观补充。

This narrative style is a microscopic supplement to the grand narrative.

Literary theory context.

在全球化背景下，各国资源应互补补充。

In the context of globalization, the resources of all countries should complement and supplement each other.

Geopolitical context.

他那番话是对该哲学体系的终极补充。

Those words were the ultimate supplement to that philosophical system.

High-level abstract thought.

补充耕地是保护粮食安全的重要举措。

Replenishing arable land is an important measure to protect food security.

Environmental/Policy context.

该评论是对原作意旨的深度补充。

This commentary is a deep supplement to the original intent of the work.

Hermeneutic context.

我们需要补充完善现有的应急预案。

We need to supplement and perfect existing emergency plans.

Complex verb pairing: 补充完善.

这些数据为该假说提供了补充证据。

These data provided supplementary evidence for the hypothesis.

Scientific rigor.

他的补充发言往往能起到画龙点睛的作用。

His supplementary remarks often serve as the finishing touch.

Idiom '画龙点睛' with '补充发言'.

Synonyms

增补填补完善添加

Antonyms

削减消耗

Common Collocations

补充水分

补充能量

补充营养

补充资料

补充说明

补充人手

补充货源

补充体力

补充协议

补充教材

Common Phrases

补充一下

作为一个补充

互相补充

及时补充

不断补充

有益补充

重要补充

额外补充

进行补充

书面补充

Often Confused With

补充 vs 增加 (Increase)

补充 vs 填充 (Fill)

补充 vs 弥补 (Make up for)

Idioms & Expressions

"相辅相成"

"取长补短"

"画龙点睛"

"精益求精"

"亡羊补牢"

"勤能补拙"

"不可或缺"

"绰绰有余"

"虚位以待"

"应有尽有"

Easily Confused

补充 vs 增加

补充 vs 填充

补充 vs 弥补

补充 vs 完善

补充 vs 补给

Sentence Patterns

Word Family

补充剂

补充说

补充性

充实

填充

How to Use It

nuance

补充 implies a prior state of incompleteness.

formality

Highly versatile, used in all registers.

Common Mistakes

Tips

Hydration

Always use 补充水分 for drinking water after exercise. It sounds much more natural than 喝水 in a health context.

Politeness

Start with '我补充一下' in meetings to show respect to the previous speaker while adding your ideas.

Legal

Remember '补充协议' (supplementary agreement) if you deal with Chinese contracts.

Hospitality

If a guest's cup is half empty, you can say '我给你补充点茶' (Let me top up your tea).

Collocation

Learn it as a pair: 补充 + 营养/水分/能量.

Academic

Use '是对...的有益补充' to describe how your essay adds to existing research.

Short Form

In casual settings, '补点儿' can be a shorter, more colloquial version of '补充点儿'.

Not for Repair

Don't use it to mean 'repairing a car'. Use 修理 for that.

Visual

Imagine a puzzle with one piece missing. Putting that piece in is '补充'.

Collaboration

Use '互相补充' to describe a great partnership where both people help each other.

Memorize It

Word Origin

补 (bǔ) depicts mending clothes with a patch. 充 (chōng) depicts a person being filled or growing. Together: patching to fill a void.

Cultural Context

The concept of 'Bu' is central to health, meaning to nourish and restore balance.

Students often attend 'Bu Xi Ban' (supplementary classes) to fill gaps in school learning.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"关于这个计划，你有什么要补充的吗？"

"运动后你通常怎么补充能量？"

"你觉得现在的教材还需要补充什么内容？"

"我们团队是否需要补充一些新的人手？"

"你最近有在补充什么维生素吗？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你今天是如何补充体力的。

如果你可以给你的学校课程补充一门课，你会选什么？

描述一次你在会议中补充发言的经历。

谈谈你对‘活到老，学到老，不断补充知识’的看法。

写一段关于如何补充水分对健康重要性的短文。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, '补充人手' means adding staff to a team that is short-handed. It's very common in business.

加 is generic 'add'. 补充 implies adding what is needed to make something complete. You '加' sugar to taste, but you '补充' water because you are dehydrated.

It's both. As a verb: '补充水分'. As a noun: '这是一个重要的补充'.

Usually no. You would say '增加衣服' (add more clothes to wear) or '补充货源' (if you are a shop owner adding stock).

You usually say '膳食补充剂' or simply '补充剂'.

It's neutral. It works in both casual talk ('补充体力') and legal contracts ('补充协议').

No, use '弥补' (míbǔ) for mistakes or regrets.

It means 'supplementary explanation'—extra info added to clarify a previous point.

Yes, if you are adding time to a task that isn't finished yet.

Yes, constantly. '补充水分' (hydrate) and '补充能量' (energy) are key sports terms.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Write a sentence about drinking water after sports using '补充'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Simple and correct.