表扬 (biǎoyáng)

表扬 means to praise or commend someone for something positive they have done.

Meanings

[verb] to praise; to commend; to compliment
[noun] praise; commendation

Example Sentences

老师表扬了他的好表现。 Lǎoshī biǎoyáng le tā de hǎo biǎoxiàn. The teacher praised his good performance.

得到表扬会让孩子更有动力。 Dédào biǎoyáng huì ràng háizi gèng yǒu dònglì. Receiving praise will motivate children more.

他经常表扬努力工作的员工。 Tā jīngcháng biǎoyáng nǔlì gōngzuò de yuángōng. He often praises employees who work hard.

这次考试成绩好，妈妈表扬了我。 Zhè cì kǎoshì chéngjì hǎo, māma biǎoyáng le wǒ. I did well on the exam, and my mother praised me.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
受到表扬 (shòudào biǎoyáng)	to receive praise
公开表扬 (gōngkāi biǎoyáng)	to praise publicly
表扬信 (biǎoyáng xìn)	letter of commendation
批评与表扬 (pīpíng yǔ biǎoyáng)	criticism and praise

Usage Notes

表扬 refers to praise given from someone in authority (teacher, parent, boss) downward. Its antonym is 批评 (pīpíng), meaning "to criticize." For praise between peers or upward, 称赞 (chēngzàn) is more appropriate. In school and workplace contexts, 表扬 is the standard term for official commendation.

Memory Hook

表 (to display/show) + 扬 (to raise/promote) — to display and raise someone's good deeds for everyone to see, that is praise.