保修

bǎo xiū · HSK 7

warranty

🛡️🔧 bao = protect, xiu = repair — protect + repair = warranty

保 means protect or guarantee, 修 means repair or fix. Together they form the concept of guaranteeing repairs — exactly what a warranty does.

保 — person 亻 + 呆 (child/protect phonetic)
Originally an ideograph showing an adult carrying a child on the back, meaning to protect or shield. The right side 呆 evolved from a depiction of a swaddled infant. Over time the meaning broadened from 'protect a child' to 'preserve, guarantee, keep safe.'

修 — 亻 person + 攸 (phonetic) + 彡 hair/decoration
修 combines 攸 (a phonetic component originally showing a person being washed) with 彡, which depicts flowing hair or ornamental strokes. The 彡 element suggests grooming, polishing, or adorning, giving 修 its core meaning of cultivating, repairing, or refining oneself or things.

More Chinese words · How Chinese works