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 xuānbùle 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.
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.