jiǎnglì: 奖励 - Reward, Award, Incentive

• Keywords: 奖励, jiǎnglì, Chinese reward, Chinese award, prize in Chinese, incentive in Chinese, how to say reward in Chinese, 奖金, 鼓励, bonus in Chinese, Chinese prize.
• Summary: Learn how to use “奖励” (jiǎnglì), the essential Chinese word for “reward,” “award,” or “prize.” This page breaks down its meaning, from corporate bonuses (奖金) to school awards, and explains its cultural significance in motivating and recognizing achievement. Discover how to use jiǎnglì correctly in sentences and understand its difference from similar words like “鼓励” (gǔlì) (to encourage).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiǎng lì
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To give a reward for an achievement or good behavior; the reward or prize itself.
• In a Nutshell: `奖励` refers to a tangible or intangible reward given to recognize and encourage a specific positive action or result. It typically comes from a person or institution in a position of authority—a boss, a teacher, a parent, or the government. Think of it as a formal “well done” that often comes with a prize, a bonus, or public recognition.

• 奖 (jiǎng): To award, praise, or encourage. This character is associated with giving a prize for merit. Think of it as the “award” itself.
• 励 (lì): To encourage or to urge on. This character contains the radical for strength or power (`力` lì), signifying the act of giving someone strength or motivation to continue.

When combined, 奖励 (jiǎnglì) literally means “to award encouragement.” It's not just about the prize; it's about using a prize to motivate future positive behavior.

In Chinese culture, `奖励` is a powerful and visible tool for reinforcing social and organizational values. It's deeply tied to the concepts of education, collective progress, and face (`面子 mianzi`). Unlike the often purely transactional nature of an “incentive” in the West, a `奖励` in China carries significant social weight. When a student receives an award (`奖状` jiǎngzhuàng), it's not just a personal achievement; it brings honor to their family. When an employee receives a bonus (`奖金` jiǎngjīn`), it is often a public acknowledgment of their contribution to the team's success. This public nature serves to show everyone what behaviors and outcomes are valued by the collective (the school, the company, the nation). It's a method of teaching by example, reinforcing a clear hierarchy where positive contributions are formally recognized by those in authority.

`奖励` is a common and important term used across various domains of modern Chinese life.

• In the Workplace: This is one of the most common contexts. Companies use `奖励` to motivate employees. This can include year-end bonuses (`年终奖`), performance awards, or sales commissions.
• In Education: From kindergarten to university, `奖励` is fundamental. Teachers `奖励` students for good grades, perfect attendance, or winning competitions. This often takes the form of small prizes, certificates, or public praise (`表扬`).
• In Parenting: Parents often use `奖励` to encourage good behavior in children, such as rewarding them with a toy for finishing their homework or getting good test scores.
• In Marketing: Businesses use `奖励` systems for customer loyalty, such as offering points or discounts for repeat purchases.

The term is generally semi-formal to formal. You wouldn't use it for a casual favor between friends, but it's perfectly appropriate in any situation involving a structured system of recognition.

• Example 1:
  • 公司决定奖励每个员工一千元奖金。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī juédìng jiǎnglì měi ge yuángōng yī qiān yuán jiǎngjīn.
  • English: The company decided to reward every employee with a 1000 yuan bonus.
  • Analysis: Here, `奖励` is used as a verb, “to reward.” The sentence structure is `Subject + 奖励 + Recipient + Reward Item`. This is a classic workplace example.
• Example 2:
  • 老师给了他一个笔记本作为奖励。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī gěi le tā yí ge bǐjìběn zuòwéi jiǎnglì.
  • English: The teacher gave him a notebook as a reward.
  • Analysis: In this sentence, `奖励` is used as a noun, meaning “the reward.” The phrase `作为奖励` (zuòwéi jiǎnglì) means “as a reward.”
• Example 3:
  • 如果你这次考试得了第一名，我会给你一个大奖励。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ zhè cì kǎoshì dé le dì-yī míng, wǒ huì gěi nǐ yí ge dà jiǎnglì.
  • English: If you get first place in this exam, I will give you a big reward.
  • Analysis: A common parenting or educational scenario. `奖励` is a noun here, representing an unspecified but significant prize.
• Example 4:
  • 努力工作会得到应有的奖励。
  • Pinyin: Nǔlì gōngzuò huì dédào yīngyǒu de jiǎnglì.
  • English: Hard work will receive the reward it deserves.
  • Analysis: This shows a more abstract use of `奖励` as a noun. `应有的` (yīngyǒu de) means “deserved” or “due.”
• Example 5:
  • 这个奖励是为了表扬他的突出贡献。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge jiǎnglì shì wèile biǎoyáng tā de tūchū gòngxiàn.
  • English: This award is to commend his outstanding contribution.
  • Analysis: This sentence clearly links the noun `奖励` (award) with its purpose: `为了表扬` (wèile biǎoyáng), “in order to praise.”
• Example 6:
  • 政府设立了专项基金来奖励科技创新者。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ shèlì le zhuānxiàng jījīn lái jiǎnglì kējì chuàngxīnzhě.
  • English: The government set up a special fund to reward technological innovators.
  • Analysis: A formal example showing how an institution (`政府`) uses `奖励` (verb) to promote a specific goal.
• Example 7:
  • 完成这个项目有什么奖励吗？
  • Pinyin: Wánchéng zhè ge xiàngmù yǒu shénme jiǎnglì ma?
  • English: Is there any reward for completing this project?
  • Analysis: A practical question using `奖励` as a noun. This is a common way to ask about incentives.
• Example 8:
  • 他因为见义勇为而受到了奖励。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi jiànyìyǒngwéi ér shòudào le jiǎnglì.
  • English: He received a reward for his heroic act (acting bravely for a just cause).
  • Analysis: `受到奖励` (shòudào jiǎnglì) is a common passive construction meaning “to receive a reward.” `见义勇为` is a set phrase (chengyu) for courageous acts.
• Example 9:
  • 物质奖励和精神奖励同样重要。
  • Pinyin: Wùzhì jiǎnglì hé jīngshén jiǎnglì tóngyàng zhòngyào.
  • English: Material rewards and spiritual (or morale-boosting) rewards are equally important.
  • Analysis: This highlights the two main types of rewards: `物质奖励` (material reward, e.g., money) and `精神奖励` (spiritual/non-material reward, e.g., praise, a certificate).
• Example 10:
  • 为了奖励自己，我决定买一件新衣服。
  • Pinyin: Wèile jiǎnglì zìjǐ, wǒ juédìng mǎi yí jiàn xīn yīfu.
  • English: To reward myself, I decided to buy a new piece of clothing.
  • Analysis: This shows a more modern, informal usage where you can “reward yourself.” It maintains the structure of rewarding a positive action, even if it's personal.

• `奖励` (jiǎnglì) vs. `鼓励` (gǔlì): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • `奖励` (Reward): A prize given after a successful action. It is often tangible.
  • `鼓励` (Encourage): Words or actions to give someone confidence before or during an action. It is often intangible (e.g., “You can do it!”).
  • Incorrect: `~~老师奖励我努力学习。~~` (The teacher rewards me to study hard.)
  • Correct: `老师鼓励我努力学习。` (The teacher encourages me to study hard.)
  • Correct: `因为我学习努力，老师奖励了我一本书。` (Because I studied hard, the teacher rewarded me with a book.)
• `奖励` vs. `奖金` (jiǎngjīn) and `奖品` (jiǎngpǐn):
  • `奖励` is the general term for reward/award, and can be a verb or an abstract noun.
  • `奖金` (jiǎngjīn) specifically means prize money / bonus.
  • `奖品` (jiǎngpǐn) specifically means a physical prize / an item.
  • Think of it this way: The `奖励` (reward) might be `奖金` (a bonus) or a `奖品` (a prize).
• Formality: Don't use `奖励` for very casual, reciprocal favors. If a friend helps you move, you wouldn't say `我要奖励你` (“I want to reward you”). It sounds too formal and creates a power imbalance. Instead, you'd say `太谢谢你了，我请你吃饭吧` (“Thanks so much, let me treat you to a meal”). `奖励` implies a structured system or an authority figure giving something to a subordinate.

• 鼓励 (gǔlì) - To encourage. The act of motivating someone, often verbally, before or during a task.
• 奖金 (jiǎngjīn) - Bonus; prize money. A specific, monetary form of `奖励`.
• 奖品 (jiǎngpǐn) - A physical prize or award item. A specific, material form of `奖励`.
• 表扬 (biǎoyáng) - To praise; to commend. A non-material, verbal form of `奖励`, often done publicly.
• 惩罚 (chéngfá) - To punish; penalty. The direct antonym of `奖励`.
• 报酬 (bàochou) - Remuneration; reward; pay. Refers to payment for labor or a service rendered, more transactional than `奖励`.
• 奖状 (jiǎngzhuàng) - Certificate of merit; award certificate. A physical document that represents a formal `奖励`.
• 功劳 (gōngláo) - Contribution; merit; credit. The reason or achievement for which one receives a `奖励`.
• 回報 (huíbào) - To repay; requite; payback. Can refer to a reward, but often implies a return on an investment or repaying a favor.