bàozi

报子

Word · NounTraditional報子

news bearer; congratulatory messenger

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 6 examples
1.

noun

messenger; scout; informant

archaic

A character often seen in traditional operas and novels. Refers to someone who delivers urgent news or acts as a spy.

Xiǎo小
shuō说
lǐ里
 ，
tàn探
mǎ马
hé和
bào报
zi子
fù负
zé责
chuán传
dì递
jūn军
zhōng中
xiāo消
xi息
 。

In the novel, scouts and messengers were responsible for delivering military news.

Tīng听
nà那
bào报
zi子
lái来
bào报
 ，
qián前
fāng方
dà大
jié捷
 ！

Listen! The messenger comes to report a great victory ahead!

2.

noun

congratulatory messenger seeking a reward

archaic

A historical figure who would bring good news (e.g., passing imperial exams, receiving an official post) to a family and expect a monetary reward in return.

Lǎo老
ye爷
zhòng中
le了
jǔ举
rén人
 ，
mén门
kǒu口
jǐ挤
mǎn满
le了
tǎo讨
shǎng赏
de的
bào报
zi子
 。

The master passed the provincial examination, and the doorway was crowded with congratulatory messengers seeking rewards.

Bào报
zi子
qiāo敲
luó锣
dǎ打
gǔ鼓
qián前
lái来
bào报
xǐ喜
 ，
zhǔ主
rén人
jiā家
bì必
xū须
gěi给
shǎng赏
qián钱
 。

The messengers came beating gongs and drums to announce the good news, and the host family had to give them reward money.

3.

noun

announcement; notice; bulletin

archaic

Refers to a posted notice or bulletin, especially one announcing official results or news. The phrase '贴报子' means 'to post a notice'.

Kē科
jǔ举
fàng放
bǎng榜
hòu后
 ，
guān官
fǔ府
huì会
tiē贴
chū出
bào报
zi子
 。

After the imperial examination results were released, the government would post bulletins.

Qiáng墙
shàng上
de的
bào报
zi子
xiě写
zhe着
xīn新
rèn任
xiàn县
tài太
yé爷
de的
míng名
zi字
 。

The notice on the wall bore the name of the new county magistrate.