bàodào: 报道 - To Report, News Report, Story

• Keywords: 报道, bàodào, report in Chinese, news report in Chinese, how to say report, cover a story Chinese, Chinese for news, journalism in Chinese, Chinese media, 新闻, 报告.
• Summary: Learn how to use “报道” (bàodào), a fundamental Chinese word for news and journalism. Whether used as a verb (“to report”) or a noun (“a news report”), `bàodào` is essential for understanding and discussing current events in Chinese. This guide covers its meaning, cultural context, practical examples, and how to avoid common mistakes like confusing it with `报告` (bàogào).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bàodào
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To report (on news); a news report or story.
• In a Nutshell: `报道` is the cornerstone word for the world of news. Think of it as both the action of reporting and the final product. When a journalist covers an event, they 报道 it. The article they write or the segment they film is also called a 报道. It's the standard term you'll see and hear in any discussion about the news.

• 报 (bào): This character means “to report,” “to announce,” or “to inform.” The left side (扌) is a variation of 手 (shǒu - hand), suggesting an action. The character itself evokes the idea of delivering information or a message. You also see it in words like 报纸 (bàozhǐ - newspaper) and 报告 (bàogào - a report).
• 道 (dào): This character famously means “way” or “path” (as in Taoism), but it also carries the meaning of “to say,” “to speak,” or “to tell.” It's composed of 辶 (chuò - to walk) and 首 (shǒu - head), suggesting a path taken or a story told.
• Combined Meaning: The characters combine literally to mean “to report by telling” or “to announce a path/story.” This perfectly captures the essence of journalism: communicating information and stories to the public.

In China, the source of a `报道` carries immense weight. The media landscape is different from that in many Western countries, with state-affiliated media like CCTV (中央电视台 - Zhōngyāng Diànshìtái) and Xinhua News Agency (新华社 - Xīnhuáshè) playing a central role. When you see the phrase “据新华社报道” (jù Xīnhuáshè bàodào - “According to a Xinhua report”), it signals an official, authoritative piece of information that aligns with the government's perspective. This is different from the Western concept of a “report” from a source like the Associated Press or Reuters, which is generally perceived as independent, even if it's a major news agency. Therefore, a `报道` is not just a neutral “report”; its perceived credibility and bias are often tied directly to the institution that published it. Understanding which media outlet is doing the `报道` is key to understanding the full context of the news in China.

`报道` is used ubiquitously in both formal and informal contexts related to news.

• As a Noun (a news report): This is its most common usage. You read, watch, or discuss a `报道`.
  • `我看了一篇很有意思的报道。` (Wǒ kànle yī piān hěn yǒuyìsi de bàodào.) - I read a very interesting report.
• As a Verb (to report): This describes the action of a journalist or news agency.
  • `那位记者正在报道最新的情况。` (Nà wèi jìzhě zhèngzài bàodào zuìxīn de qíngkuàng.) - That journalist is reporting on the latest situation.
• In News Headlines and Broadcasts: It's standard formal language. You'll constantly hear phrases like “欢迎收看我们的新闻报道” (Huānyíng shōukàn wǒmen de xīnwén bàodào - Welcome to our news report) on TV.
• In Everyday Conversation: People use it to talk about news they've consumed.
  • `你看到关于那家公司的报道了吗？` (Nǐ kàndào guānyú nà jiā gōngsī de bàodào le ma?) - Did you see the report about that company?

• Example 1:
  • 这是一篇关于气候变化的深度报道。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì yī piān guānyú qìhòu biànhuà de shēndù bàodào.
  • English: This is an in-depth report on climate change.
  • Analysis: Here, `报道` is a noun, modified by “in-depth” (深度) to describe a specific type of news story.
• Example 2:
  • 很多外国媒体也报道了这件事。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō wàiguó méitǐ yě bàodào le zhè jiàn shì.
  • English: Many foreign media outlets also reported on this matter.
  • Analysis: Here, `报道` is a verb, indicating the action of reporting performed by the media (媒体).
• Example 3:
  • 据报道，明天可能会下雪。
  • Pinyin: Jù bàodào, míngtiān kěnéng huì xiàxuě.
  • English: According to reports, it might snow tomorrow.
  • Analysis: The phrase “据报道” is extremely common and works just like “according to reports” in English. It's used to cite information without specifying the exact source.
• Example 4:
  • 那位记者因其勇敢的报道而获奖。
  • Pinyin: Nà wèi jìzhě yīn qí yǒnggǎn de bàodào ér huòjiǎng.
  • English: That journalist won an award for his courageous reporting.
  • Analysis: `报道` here acts as a noun but refers to the entire body of work or the act of reporting.
• Example 5:
  • 我们正在为您进行现场报道。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhèngzài wèi nín jìnxíng xiànchǎng bàodào.
  • English: We are bringing you a live report from the scene.
  • Analysis: “现场报道” (xiànchǎng bàodào) is a set phrase for “live/on-site report,” often heard on TV news.
• Example 6:
  • 这篇报道的内容完全不属实。
  • Pinyin: Zhè piān bàodào de nèiróng wánquán bù shǔshí.
  • English: The content of this report is completely untrue.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how to talk about a specific report using the measure word `篇` (piān).
• Example 7:
  • 他的工作就是报道体育新闻。
  • Pinyin: Tā de gōngzuò jiùshì bàodào tǐyù xīnwén.
  • English: His job is to report on sports news.
  • Analysis: `报道` used as a verb to describe a person's professional duty.
• Example 8:
  • 你对这篇报道有什么看法？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ duì zhè piān bàodào yǒu shéme kànfǎ?
  • English: What are your thoughts on this report?
  • Analysis: A great conversational question for discussing current events with Chinese friends.
• Example 9:
  • 电视台取消了那个负面报道。
  • Pinyin: Diànshìtái qǔxiāo le nàge fùmiàn bàodào.
  • English: The TV station canceled that negative report.
  • Analysis: Shows how `报道` can be modified by adjectives like “negative” (负面 fùmiàn) or “positive” (正面 zhèngmiàn).
• Example 10:
  • 这次事件得到了广泛报道。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì shìjiàn dédào le guǎngfàn bàodào.
  • English: This incident received widespread coverage.
  • Analysis: “得到广泛报道” is a common collocation meaning “to get widespread coverage/reporting.”

The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing `报道` from similar-sounding or similar-meaning words.

• 报道 (bàodào) vs. 报告 (bàogào)
  • This is the most critical distinction.
  • 报道 (bàodào): For public news and journalism. Think media reports.
  • 报告 (bàogào): For formal, internal, or academic reports. Think business reports, scientific reports, or a report to your boss.
  • Incorrect: 我给教授写了一篇报道。 (I wrote a news report for my professor.)
  • Correct: 我给教授写了一篇报告。 (I wrote a report for my professor.)
  • Incorrect: 记者向老板交了一份报道。 (The journalist submitted a news report to the boss.)
  • Correct: 记者向老板交了一份报告。 (The journalist submitted a report/summary to the boss.)
• 报道 (bàodào) vs. 新闻 (xīnwén)
  • 新闻 (xīnwén): “News” as a general concept or category. It's an uncountable noun.
  • 报道 (bàodào): “A news report” or “a story.” It is a countable noun.
  • Correct: 我喜欢看新闻。 (Wǒ xǐhuān kàn xīnwén.) - I like watching the news.
  • Incorrect: 我喜欢看报道。 (This is awkward; it's like saying “I like watching a report.”)
  • Correct: 我看了一篇关于经济的报道。 (Wǒ kànle yī piān guānyú jīngjì de bàodào.) - I read a report about the economy.
  • Incorrect: 我看了一篇关于经济的新闻。 (Grammatically incorrect. You need a countable noun like `报道` or `消息` after the measure word.)

• 新闻 (xīnwén) - News. The general category where you find a `报道`.
• 记者 (jìzhě) - Journalist, reporter. The person who writes or creates a `报道`.
• 媒体 (méitǐ) - Media. The industry or organization that publishes a `报道`.
• 报告 (bàogào) - Report (non-journalistic). The most common “false friend” of `报道`.
• 文章 (wénzhāng) - Article. A `报道` is a specific type of `文章`.
• 消息 (xiāoxi) - News, message, information. Less formal and structured than a `报道`. A `报道` is a formal piece of news, while a `消息` can just be a bit of information or a text message.
• 头条 (tóutiáo) - Headline, lead story. The most prominent `报道` of the day.
• 报纸 (bàozhǐ) - Newspaper. A traditional medium for publishing a `报道`.
• 广播 (guǎngbō) - Broadcast (radio). A way to transmit an audio `报道`.
• 采访 (cǎifǎng) - To interview. An action a `记者` (jìzhě) takes to gather information for a `报道`.