Meaning
蓓蕾 refers to a flower bud that has not yet opened or bloomed. It represents the stage of development just before a flower reaches full bloom, capturing the moment of anticipation and potential. The word is often used metaphorically to describe young people full of promise or things in their early, promising stages.
Usage
This is a somewhat literary or poetic term, more common in written Chinese than everyday speech. It's frequently used in metaphorical contexts to describe youth, potential, or the early stages of development. You'll often see it in literature, poetry, formal writing, or when describing children and young people as 'budding' talents or promising futures.
Examples
- 01春天到了，枝头上长满了粉红色的蓓蕾。, .Spring has arrived, and the branches are covered with pink buds.
- 02这些孩子是祖国的花朵，是未来的蓓蕾。, .These children are the flowers of the motherland, the buds of the future.
Characters
Measure words
- 朵一朵蓓蕾
- 个一个蓓蕾
Common collocations
- 含苞的蓓蕾budding flower
- 祖国的蓓蕾the buds of the motherland (metaphor for children)
- 蓓蕾初绽buds just beginning to open
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters contain the grass/plant radical (艹), indicating their botanical nature. 蓓 and 蕾 are near-synonyms that combine to emphasize the budding stage of a flower. This is a compound where both morphemes reinforce the same meaning.