Correct
夸 vs 夸奖
/ kuā vs kuājiǎng /
Strokes
Definition
Both 夸 (kuā) and 夸奖 (kuājiǎng) mean "to praise," but they differ in usage, formality, and grammar. Here’s how to distinguish them:
1. 夸 (kuā) – "To Praise" (Casual, Informal, Often Short-Term)
Usage:
Casual Praise (Daily Conversations, Simple Compliments)
- Used for informal, everyday praise (e.g., complimenting someone’s looks, skills, or actions).
- Often short and direct, sometimes even exaggerated or insincere.
Examples:
- 妈妈夸我做饭好吃。 (Māma kuā wǒ zuòfàn hǎochī.)
→ "Mom praised me for cooking well." (Casual, personal.) - 别总夸他，他会骄傲的。 (Bié zǒng kuā tā, tā huì jiāo’ào de.)
→ "Don’t always praise him; he’ll get arrogant." (Possible negative tone.)
Can Be Used Alone or in Fixed Phrases
- Often appears in colloquial expressions like:
- 夸口 (kuākǒu) – "to boast" (negative).
- 夸夸其谈 (kuākuāqítán) – "to talk big" (negative).
Examples:
- 他喜欢夸自己聪明。 (Tā xǐhuan kuā zìjǐ cōngming.)
→ "He likes to praise himself as smart." (Can sound boastful.)
Key Points:
✔ Informal, casual praise (daily life).
✔ Can imply exaggeration or insincerity.
✔ Often used alone (single-character verb).
2. 夸奖 (kuājiǎng) – "To Praise" (Formal, Sincere, Often Public)
Usage:
Formal or Sincere Praise (Official, Public, or Encouraging)
- Used for genuine, formal, or public praise (e.g., teachers praising students, bosses praising employees).
- Implies respect and encouragement.
Examples:
- 老师夸奖他学习努力。 (Lǎoshī kuājiǎng tā xuéxí nǔlì.)
→ "The teacher praised him for studying hard." (Formal, respectful.) - 老板夸奖了我们的团队。 (Lǎobǎn kuājiǎng le wǒmen de tuánduì.)
→ "The boss praised our team." (Professional setting.)
Often Used in Written or Formal Speech
- Common in reports, speeches, or official feedback.
- Rarely negative (unlike 夸, which can imply boasting).
Examples:
- 他的表现得到了领导的夸奖。 (Tā de biǎoxiàn dédào le lǐngdǎo de kuājiǎng.)
→ "His performance received the leader’s praise." (Formal recognition.)
Key Points:
✔ Formal, sincere praise (work, school, public).
✔ Implies respect and encouragement.
✔ Mostly positive (unlike 夸, which can be boastful).
3. Key Differences
| Feature | 夸 (kuā) | 夸奖 (kuājiǎng) |
|---|---|---|
| Formality | Informal, casual | Formal, official |
| Tone | Can be exaggerated/insincere | Sincere, respectful |
| Usage | Daily conversations, personal | Work, school, public praise |
| Example Sentence | "She 夸 my new dress." | "The teacher 夸奖 his hard work." |
| Negative Meaning? | Sometimes (e.g., 夸口 "boast") | Rarely negative |
Final Summary
Use 夸 (kuā) for:
✔ Casual, everyday praise (friends, family).
✔ Sometimes boastful or exaggerated (e.g., 夸口).
Use 夸奖 (kuājiǎng) for:
✔ Formal, sincere praise (teachers, bosses, public figures).
✔ Encouragement or recognition (no negative tone).
Example
夸 and 夸奖 mean "the same as the two but are more colloquial and mostly applied to human beings".
Examples ① and ② are colloquial sentences relating to people's behaviour and quality, in which either word can be used.
1
Tāmen
他们
dōu
都
kuā
夸
(
kuājiǎng
夸奖
)
zhè
这
háizi
孩子
cōngminglínglì
聪明伶俐
。
They all complimented the child's cuteness.
2
Biè
别
kuā
夸
(
kuājiǎng
夸奖
)
wǒ
我
le
了
,
wǒ
我
dōu
都
bùhǎoyìsi
不好意思
le
了
。
Don't praise me any more, I feel embarrassed.
夸 is also used in some set phrases.
3
Kuā
夸
hǎikǒu
海口
brag about
4
Kuākuāqítán
夸夸其谈
indulge in exaggeration
5
Kuādàqící
夸大其词
make an overstatement in speaking or writing
夸奖, on the other hand, can function as the object of 受到 (which is the same as 称赞 and 赞美), but 夸 cannot.
6
Zhège
这个
xuésheng
学生
hěn
很
yōuxiù
优秀
,
shòudào
受到
le
了
xiàozhǎng
校长
de
的
kuājiǎng
夸奖
。
The excellent student was praised by his principal.
夸 and 夸奖 can also be applied to extraordinary deeds.
7
Rénrén
人人
dōu
都
kuā
夸
(
kuājiǎng
夸奖
)
tāmen
他们
de
的
yīngxíong
英雄
xíngwéi
行为
。
They was praised for their heroic deeds.
Mistake
❌ Wrong (Too Informal):
总统夸了这位科学家的贡献。 (Use 夸奖 for formal praise.)
✅ Correct:
总统夸奖了这位科学家的贡献。 (Zǒngtǒng kuājiǎng le zhè wèi kēxuéjiā de gòngxiàn.)→ "The president praised the scientist’s contributions."
❌ Wrong (Too Formal):
妈妈夸奖我长得帅。 (Use 夸 for casual family praise.)
✅ More Natural:
妈妈夸我长得帅。 (Māma kuā wǒ zhǎng de shuài.)→ "Mom praised me for being handsome."
Exercise
Choose 夸 or 夸奖:
- 教练____了运动员的进步。 (夸奖 – formal praise)
- 你别老是____自己，谦虚点。 (夸 – possible boastfulness)
- 这篇文章受到了专家的____。 (夸奖 – professional recognition)
Translate:
- "The teacher praised her for her creativity." → 老师____她的创造力。 (夸奖)
- "He’s always praising his own cooking skills." → 他总____自己的厨艺。 (夸)