bǎoshǒu: 保守 - Conservative, To Guard, To Keep

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Summary: Learn the meaning of 保守 (bǎoshǒu), a fundamental Chinese term for “conservative.” This guide explores its use in describing people, ideas, and actions, from traditional mindsets to cautious business estimates. Discover its cultural roots, how it differs from Western “conservatism,” and its verb form, “to guard” or “to keep,” as in 保守秘密 (bǎoshǒu mìmì), “to keep a secret.” This is a must-know word for understanding modern Chinese society and communication.

Pinyin (with tone marks): bǎo shǒu

Part of Speech: Adjective, Verb

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: To be conservative; to guard or keep (a secret, value, etc.).

In a Nutshell: 保守 (bǎoshǒu) is the primary way to express the concept of being “conservative” in Chinese. However, it's broader than just politics. It describes a mindset that values caution, tradition, and stability over risk and change. It can refer to a person's personality (risk-averse), fashion sense (not flashy), business approach (safe), or the act of protecting something abstract, like a secret or a tradition.

保 (bǎo): This character means “to protect” or “to guard.” It's composed of the radical for “person” (亻) and a component that suggests something precious or to be cared for. Think of a person protecting something valuable.

守 (shǒu): This character means “to defend,” “to keep,” or “to abide by.” The character itself can be seen as a person guarding a post or a home (宀).

Together, 保守 (bǎoshǒu) literally means “protect and defend.” This combination creates a powerful sense of holding onto and maintaining existing things—be they values, traditions, or secrets—rather than seeking out new ones. It implies a defensive, cautious stance.

保守 (bǎoshǒu) is deeply connected to traditional Chinese cultural values, many of which stem from Confucianism. Confucian thought emphasizes social harmony, order, respect for elders and authority, and learning from historical precedent. In this framework, being 保守 isn't inherently negative; it's often seen as a virtue that promotes stability and predictability in a collective society. A 保守 person is often considered reliable, prudent, and respectful of social norms.

Comparison to Western “Conservatism”: This is a critical distinction. In the West (e.g., the U.S.), “conservative” is primarily a political label tied to specific ideologies like small government, free-market capitalism, and individual liberty. In China, 保守 (bǎoshǒu) is more of a social and personal disposition. A person can be socially and personally 保守 (e.g., in their views on family and relationships) while fully supporting the socialist state and its policies. The term is less about a political party and more about a general approach to life: preferring the known over the unknown, the safe over the risky, and the traditional over the radical.