补充 (bǔchōng)

补充 means "to supplement," "to add to," or "to complement" and describes filling in gaps or adding more to something that is incomplete.

Meanings

[verb] to supplement; to add; to replenish
[noun] supplement; addition; complement

Example Sentences

老师让同学们补充自己的答案。 Lǎoshī ràng tóngxuémen bǔchōng zìjǐ de dá'àn. The teacher asked students to supplement their answers.

我想补充一点重要信息。 Wǒ xiǎng bǔchōng yīdiǎn zhòngyào xìnxī. I would like to add one important piece of information.

运动后需要补充水分。 Yùndòng hòu xūyào bǔchōng shuǐfèn. You need to replenish fluids after exercise.

这本书是对教材的补充。 Zhè běn shū shì duì jiàocái de bǔchōng. This book is a supplement to the textbook.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
补充说明	to add an explanation
补充资料	supplementary materials
补充水分	to replenish fluids
互相补充	to complement each other

Usage Notes

补充 is used in both spoken and written Chinese. In meetings or discussions, 我补充一下 (wǒ bǔchōng yīxià) is a polite way to add something to what has been said. As a noun, it describes extra content provided alongside a main source.

Memory Hook

补 (bǔ) means "to patch or fill" and 充 (chōng) means "to fill up": 补充 fills up the gaps to make something complete.