jǔbào: 举报 - To Report, To Inform On, Whistleblowing

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• Summary: Learn the powerful Chinese word 举报 (jǔbào), which means to report wrongdoing to an authority. This guide covers its meaning, from civic whistleblowing against corruption to the more negative connotation of “informing on” someone. Understand its deep cultural and historical significance in China, see practical examples for modern life and online contexts, and learn how to use it correctly without making common mistakes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jǔbào
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To report illegal, improper, or unethical activity to an authority.
• In a Nutshell: 举报 (jǔbào) is more than just a neutral “report.” It's the specific act of exposing wrongdoing. Think of it as “raising an issue” to a higher power for judgment. It can be a heroic act of civic duty, like whistleblowing on a corrupt official, or it can carry the negative weight of “snitching” on a friend or colleague. The context and the severity of the offense are everything in determining its connotation.

• 举 (jǔ): This character means “to lift,” “to raise,” or “to hold up.” A common word is `举手 (jǔ shǒu)`, “to raise one's hand.” Pictorially, it originally depicted a hand lifting a heavy object.
• 报 (bào): This character means “to report,” “to announce,” or “to inform.” It's the same character found in `报纸 (bàozhǐ)`, “newspaper.” It signifies the delivery of information.

Combining these two characters creates a vivid image: to lift up (举) a piece of information and report (报) it to someone in charge. You are elevating the issue so it can no longer be ignored.

The concept of 举报 (jǔbào) is deeply embedded in Chinese society and carries significant cultural weight, with both positive and negative baggage. On one hand, it's promoted as a cornerstone of social supervision and a patriotic duty. The Chinese government actively encourages citizens to 举报 corruption, illegal activities, and social misconduct through official hotlines (like the famous `12388` for party discipline) and online platforms. In this sense, it aligns with a collectivist value: protecting the group's welfare by removing “bad apples.” A person who reports a polluting factory is seen as a hero. On the other hand, 举报 is haunted by the past, particularly the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). During that period, people were encouraged, and often forced, to 举报 friends, teachers, and even family members for the slightest perceived political transgressions. This created deep social scars and attached a powerful stigma to the act, equating it with betrayal and “snitching” (`告密 gàomì`). Comparison with Western Culture: While “whistleblowing” is the closest English equivalent for high-stakes reporting, it lacks the full spectrum of 举报. In the West, “reporting” a crime is a neutral civic duty. “Snitching” is negative among peers. “Whistleblowing” is often seen as a courageous, David-vs-Goliath act. 举报 encompasses all of these, and its interpretation depends heavily on the specific Chinese context. Reporting your boss for embezzlement is whistleblowing. Reporting your classmate for cheating on a test might be seen by others as snitching. The personal relationship between the reporter and the reported person heavily influences the perception of the act in China, perhaps more so than in the West.

举报 is a very common and practical term you will encounter frequently.

• Fighting Corruption and Crime: This is the most formal and promoted use. Citizens can 举报 officials for taking bribes (`贪污 tānwū`) or businesses for tax evasion.
  • Example: `实名举报 (shímíng jǔbào)` - to report using one's real name, which lends more credibility.
  • Example: `匿名举报 (nìmíng jǔbào)` - to report anonymously, for safety.
• Consumer Rights: If you buy a fake product or receive terrible service, you can 举报 the business to a consumer protection agency. The hotline `12315` is widely known for this.
• Daily Life and Work: This is where connotations get tricky. You might 举报 a neighbor for illegal construction or constant noise. In an office, to 举报 a colleague for breaking rules could damage your relationships (`关系 guānxi`) and label you as a tattletale.
• The Internet and Social Media: This is a massive area of use. Every major Chinese social media platform (Weibo, WeChat, Douyin) has a prominent 举报 button. Users are encouraged to 举报 accounts for spreading rumors, posting illegal content, personal attacks, or scams. This is a routine, almost gamified, part of the Chinese internet ecosystem.

• Example 1:
  • 如果你发现官员贪污，你应该勇敢地举报他们。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ fāxiàn guānyuán tānwū, nǐ yīnggāi yǒnggǎn de jǔbào tāmen.
  • English: If you discover an official is corrupt, you should bravely report them.
  • Analysis: This is the classic, positive use of 举报 as a form of civic duty. The adverb `勇敢地 (yǒnggǎn de)`, “bravely,” reinforces this heroic connotation.
• Example 2:
  • 他因为在考试中作弊被同学举报了。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi zài kǎoshì zhōng zuòbì bèi tóngxué jǔbào le.
  • English: He was reported by a classmate for cheating on the exam.
  • Analysis: This usage is more neutral to slightly negative, depending on your perspective. The passive voice (`被 bèi`) is common with 举报, highlighting the experience of the person being reported.
• Example 3:
  • 这个微信公众号因为散布谣言，被很多人举报后封了。
  • Pinyin: Zhège Wēixìn gōngzhònghào yīnwèi sànbù yáoyán, bèi hěn duō rén jǔbào hòu fēng le.
  • English: This WeChat official account was shut down after many people reported it for spreading rumors.
  • Analysis: A very common scenario in modern China. It shows how collective action through 举报 can have real consequences online.
• Example 4:
  • 我要打12315电话举报这家卖假货的商店。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yào dǎ yāo'èrsān-yāowǔ diànhuà jǔbào zhè jiā mài jiǎhuò de shāngdiàn.
  • English: I'm going to call the 12315 hotline to report this store for selling fake goods.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a practical, everyday use of 举报 for consumer rights protection. Mentioning the specific hotline number makes it very authentic.
• Example 5:
  • 你真的要去举报你最好的朋友吗？这会毁了你们的友谊。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhēn de yào qù jǔbào nǐ zuì hǎo de péngyǒu ma? Zhè huì huǐ le nǐmen de yǒuyì.
  • English: Are you really going to report your best friend? This will ruin your friendship.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly addresses the negative, betrayal-related connotation of 举报, especially when it involves close personal relationships.
• Example 6:
  • 公司设立了匿名举报信箱，鼓励员工揭发不当行为。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī shèlì le nìmíng jǔbào xìnxiāng, gǔlì yuángōng jiēfā bùdàng xíngwéi.
  • English: The company set up an anonymous reporting mailbox to encourage employees to expose improper conduct.
  • Analysis: Shows the use of 举报 in a corporate/professional context. `匿名 (nìmíng)`, “anonymous,” is often paired with 举报 to protect the reporter.
• Example 7:
  • 他收到了一个威胁电话，警告他不要举报。
  • Pinyin: Tā shōudào le yí ge wēixié diànhuà, jǐnggào tā búyào jǔbào.
  • English: He received a threatening phone call warning him not to report it.
  • Analysis: This highlights the potential danger and seriousness of whistleblowing.
• Example 8:
  • 在网上，举报一个帖子只需要点一下按钮。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǎngshàng, jǔbào yí ge tiězi zhǐ xūyào diǎn yíxià ànniǔ.
  • English: Online, reporting a post only requires the click of a button.
  • Analysis: This illustrates the ease and low-stakes nature of some forms of modern, digital 举报.
• Example 9:
  • 经过调查，那次举报被证实是恶意的。
  • Pinyin: Jīngguò diàochá, nà cì jǔbào bèi zhèngshí shì èyì de.
  • English: After investigation, that report was confirmed to be malicious.
  • Analysis: Shows that a 举报 itself can be a malicious act. Here, 举报 is used as a noun, “a report” or “an act of reporting.”
• Example 10:
  • 我正在考虑要不要举报楼上的邻居，他们实在太吵了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhèngzài kǎolǜ yàobuyào jǔbào lóushàng de línjū, tāmen shízài tài chǎo le.
  • English: I'm considering whether or not to report my upstairs neighbors, they are really too loud.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of a common, low-level dilemma where 举报 is an option. It's not about crime, but about breaking community rules.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 举报 (jǔbào) with 报告 (bàogào).

• 报告 (bàogào): This means “to report” in a neutral sense, or “a report/presentation.” It's about conveying information, not necessarily about wrongdoing.
  • You 报告 your work progress to your boss. (`向老板报告工作进度。`)
  • You 报告 a traffic accident to the police. (`向警察报告交通事故。`)
  • You write a research 报告 (report/paper). (`写一份研究报告。`)
• 举报 (jǔbào): This is specifically for reporting a fault, a crime, or a violation. There is an accuser, an accused, and an authority figure.

Incorrect Usage Example:

• `我跟老师举报我生病了。` (Wǒ gēn lǎoshī jǔbào wǒ shēngbìng le.)
• Why it's wrong: This sounds like you are accusing yourself of the “crime” of being sick. You are simply informing the teacher.
• Correct Usage: `我跟老师报告我生病了。` (Wǒ gēn lǎoshī bàogào wǒ shēngbìng le.) or more naturally, `我告诉老师我生病了。` (Wǒ gàosù lǎoshī wǒ shēngbìng le.)

Think of it this way: You 报告 facts. You 举报 faults.

• 报告 (bàogào) - To report (neutrally); a report. The general term that 举报 is a specific type of.
• 揭发 (jiēfā) - To expose or unmask. Stronger than 举报, often implying making the wrongdoing public.
• 告密 (gàomì) - To secretly inform on someone; to tattle. This term is almost exclusively negative and implies betrayal for personal gain.
• 投诉 (tóusù) - To complain; to file a complaint. Used for service quality, product issues, or unsatisfactory experiences. You 投诉 a rude waiter; you 举报 a restaurant for health code violations.
• 贪污 (tānwū) - Corruption; embezzlement. A very common reason to 举报 an official.
• 腐败 (fǔbài) - Corruption (a broader concept).
• 实名举报 (shímíng jǔbào) - Real-name reporting. Seen as more courageous and credible than reporting anonymously.
• 匿名举报 (nìmíng jǔbào) - Anonymous reporting. Done to protect the identity of the person reporting.
• 热线 (rèxiàn) - Hotline. Many government agencies have a `举报热线 (jǔbào rèxiàn)`.
• 违规 (wéiguī) - To violate regulations. A common reason for a 举报 in a company or community setting.