Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== xuānbù: 宣布 - Announce, Declare, Proclaim ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 宣布, xuanbu, how to say announce in Chinese, declare in Chinese, proclaim in Chinese, official announcement, formal declaration, 宣布 meaning, 宣布 vs 通知, Chinese for announce, HSK 4 vocabulary. * **Summary:** Learn how to use the Chinese verb **宣布 (xuānbù)**, which means to formally announce, declare, or proclaim. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in modern China. Discover the difference between a formal declaration with **宣布** and a simple notification, with dozens of example sentences perfect for HSK 4 learners and beyond. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xuānbù * **Part of Speech:** Verb * **HSK Level:** 4 * **Concise Definition:** To formally announce or declare something to the public or a large group. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **宣布 (xuānbù)** as the verb for "big" announcements. You don't use it to tell a friend you're going to the store. You use it when a government declares a new policy, a company launches a major product, or a judge delivers a verdict. It implies a one-way communication from a position of authority and carries a strong sense of formality and finality. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **宣 (xuān):** This character means "to declare" or "to publicize." The top radical 宀 (mián) is the "roof" radical, often associated with buildings or houses. This suggests a declaration made from a formal place, like a palace or government hall. * **布 (bù):** This character's original meaning is "cloth." From this, it gained the extended meaning "to spread out" or "to distribute," like laying out a large piece of cloth for everyone to see. * When combined, **宣布 (xuānbù)** literally means "to declare and spread out." This paints a vivid picture of taking an important piece of information and broadcasting it widely and officially for all to know. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * In Chinese culture, communication from authority figures (government officials, company leaders, family elders) is often structured and formal. **宣布 (xuānbù)** perfectly captures this top-down flow of information. It's not a conversation or a discussion; it's a proclamation. * Compared to the English word "announce," **宣布 (xuānbù)** carries significantly more weight. You might "announce" a birthday party on Facebook, but you would almost never use **宣布** for such a casual event. A closer Western concept would be "to issue a proclamation" or "to make a formal declaration." Using **宣布** signals that the information is official, non-negotiable, and important. This reflects a cultural context where official pronouncements are taken very seriously. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **Government and Law:** This is the most common context. Governments **宣布** new laws, policies, states of emergency, or diplomatic decisions. Courts **宣布** verdicts. * //Example: "The government announced a new tax policy."// * **Business:** Companies use **宣布** for major events like product launches, mergers and acquisitions, significant leadership changes, or unfortunately, bankruptcy. * //Example: "Apple announced the new iPhone."// * **Formal Personal Events:** While less common, it can be used for significant life events if the announcement is made in a very formal setting. For example, at a formal engagement dinner, the father of the bride might **宣布** the couple's intention to marry. * //Example: "They formally announced their engagement to all their relatives."// * **Media:** News headlines are filled with **宣布**. It's a standard, neutral verb to report on official declarations. * **Formality:** **宣布** is almost exclusively used in formal or official situations. Using it in a casual conversation can sound overly dramatic or sarcastic. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 政府刚刚**宣布**了一项新政策。 * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ gānggāng **xuānbù**le yí xiàng xīn zhèngcè. * English: The government just announced a new policy. * Analysis: This is a classic, straightforward use of **宣布**. A government (authority) is making an official policy public. * **Example 2:** * 公司**宣布**，下个月将发布一款新产品。 * Pinyin: Gōngsī **xuānbù**, xià ge yuè jiāng fābù yī kuǎn xīn chǎnpǐn. * English: The company announced that it will release a new product next month. * Analysis: Here, the company is the authority figure making a formal declaration about a major business event. * **Example 3:** * 法官当庭**宣布**了判决结果。 * Pinyin: Fǎguān dāngtíng **xuānbù**le pànjué jiéguǒ. * English: The judge announced the verdict in court. * Analysis: A legal verdict is a highly formal and official declaration. **宣布** is the perfect verb here. * **Example 4:** * 他们向所有亲友**宣布**了结婚的喜讯。 * Pinyin: Tāmen xiàng suǒyǒu qīnyǒu **xuānbù**le jiéhūn de xǐxùn. * English: They announced the happy news of their marriage to all their friends and relatives. * Analysis: While personal, the context of announcing to "all friends and relatives" makes it a large-scale, formal declaration for a major life event. * **Example 5:** * 比赛结束后，主持人**宣布**了获胜者名单。 * Pinyin: Bǐsài jiéshù hòu, zhǔchírén **xuānbù**le huòshèngzhě míngdān. * English: After the competition ended, the host announced the list of winners. * Analysis: Announcing official results to an audience is a formal act, fitting for **宣布**. * **Example 6:** * 由于恶劣天气，航空公司**宣布**所有航班取消。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú èliè tiānqì, hángkōng gōngsī **xuānbù** suǒyǒu hángbān qǔxiāo. * English: Due to the severe weather, the airline announced the cancellation of all flights. * Analysis: This is an official, public-facing announcement from an organization (the airline) that affects many people. * **Example 7:** * 这位著名的演员**宣布**他要退出演艺圈了。 * Pinyin: Zhè wèi zhùmíng de yǎnyuán **xuānbù** tā yào tuìchū yǎnyìquān le. * English: This famous actor announced that he is retiring from show business. * Analysis: A major career decision made public by a public figure is significant enough to warrant **宣布**. * **Example 8:** * 校长**宣布**，暑假从下周一开始。 * Pinyin: Xiàozhǎng **xuānbù**, shǔjià cóng xià zhōu yī kāishǐ. * English: The principal announced that summer vacation will start next Monday. * Analysis: The principal is the authority figure of the school, and this is an official announcement to the entire student body. * **Example 9:** * 两国**宣布**建立外交关系。 * Pinyin: Liǎng guó **xuānbù** jiànlì wàijiāo guānxì. * English: The two countries announced the establishment of diplomatic relations. * Analysis: This is a high-level, formal declaration in the field of international politics. * **Example 10:** * 由于经营不善，该公司不得不**宣布**破产。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú jīngyíng bùshàn, gāi gōngsī bùdébù **xuānbù** pòchǎn. * English: Due to poor management, the company had to declare bankruptcy. * Analysis: Declaring bankruptcy is a formal, legal, and public process, making **宣布** the appropriate term. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Mistake 1: Using 宣布 for casual information.** * A common mistake for learners is to use **宣布** like the English "announce" for everyday things. * **Incorrect:** 我**宣布**我饿了。(Wǒ **xuānbù** wǒ è le.) This sounds very strange, like you are a king proclaiming his hunger to the court. * **Correct:** 我告诉大家，我有点饿了。(Wǒ gàosu dàjiā, wǒ yǒudiǎn è le.) - "I'm telling everyone, I'm a bit hungry." Use [[告诉]] (gàosu - to tell) for casual information. * **Mistake 2: Confusing 宣布 (xuānbù) with 通知 (tōngzhī).** * These two are often confused but have a clear difference in scope and purpose. * **宣布 (xuānbù):** To declare something **publicly** and **formally**. The audience is often large and indefinite. It's a one-way proclamation. * //Example: 公司**宣布**了新的着装要求。(The company **announced** a new dress code.) - This is a formal, company-wide declaration.// * **通知 (tōngzhī):** To **notify** or **inform** specific people who need to know. It's more functional and can be less formal. * //Example: HR **通知**我明天开会。(HR **notified** me about a meeting tomorrow.) - This is information directed at you specifically.// ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[通知]] (tōngzhī) - To notify; a notice. More about informing specific individuals rather than making a public proclamation. * [[公布]] (gōngbù) - To make public; to promulgate. Very similar to **宣布**, but often emphasizes making previously private or internal information public (e.g., exam scores, a list of names). * [[公告]] (gōnggào) - A public announcement; a bulletin (noun). This is the thing that is announced. //公司发布了一个**公告**。(The company issued a **public notice**.)// * [[声明]] (shēngmíng) - A statement; to state. Often used to clarify a position or make a formal point, especially in response to something. //他发表**声明**否认了所有指控。(He issued a **statement** denying all accusations.)// * [[发表]] (fābiǎo) - To publish; to issue. Used for releasing works like articles, research papers, or delivering a speech. * [[宣告]] (xuāngào) - To declare; to proclaim. Very similar to and often interchangeable with **宣布**, but can sometimes feel even more formal or literary. * [[告诉]] (gàosu) - To tell. The common, informal verb for conveying information to someone. The opposite of **宣布** in terms of formality. * [[声称]] (shēngchēng) - To claim; to allege. Implies that what is being said may not be proven or true.