Chinese word

弥补

Pronunciation

Pinyinmí bǔ

Meaning

  • verbmake up for

Example

他想用礼物来弥补自己的错误。tā xiǎng yòng lǐ wù lái mí bǔ zì jǐ de cuò wù

He wants to make up for his mistake with a gift.

Illustration for 弥补 (make up for)

More examples

政府出台政策帮助贫困地区弥补城乡差距。zhèng fǔ chū tái zhèng cè bāng zhù pín kùn dì qū mí bǔ chéng xiāng chā jù

The government introduced policies to help poor regions close the gap between urban and rural areas.

Core concept

A missing piece, amount, or value is supplied until the result is closer to whole.

Common phrases

  • 弥补差距mí bǔ chā jù

    close the gap

  • 弥补过失mí bǔ guò shī

    compensate for a mistake

Similar words

补偿bǔ cháng: Make up for a loss or disadvantage through money or a helpful action.
赔偿péi cháng: Pay money to make up for legally recognized damage or costs.
补救bǔ jiù: Take steps after a problem or mistake to improve the situation.
填补tián bǔ: Fill an empty place or shortage with something or a suitable means.

Definition in Chinese

用某种办法补足不足或损失，使事物或情况恢复完整或减少损害。yòng móu zhǒng bàn fǎ bǔ zú bù zú huò sǔn shī shǐ shì wù huò qíng kuàng huī fù wán zhěng huò jián shǎo sǔn hài

Word origin

弥补 (míbǔ, "make up for") joins 弥 (mí, "make full") and 补 (bǔ, "patch or repair"), creating the image of repairing a lack until completeness is restored.

Usage tips

  • This verb commonly applies to abstract damage, including a missed opportunity, a personal fault, or a loss, not only to something physically broken.

Other meanings

  • compensateverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word