叫板

jiàobǎn

verb HSK 7

Meanings

1 to challenge; to throw down the gauntlet
2 to provoke a confrontation

Characters

to call; to shout

board; beat (in music)

Originally a Beijing opera term — the actor calls out to the drummer to start the beat. Now means to publicly challenge someone.

Examples

这家新公司公开叫板行业巨头。

Zhè jiā xīn gōngsī gōngkāi jiàobǎn hángyè jùtóu.

This new company openly challenged the industry giants.

他敢跟老板叫板。

Tā gǎn gēn lǎobǎn jiàobǎn.

He dared to challenge the boss.

Tips

history

叫板 comes from Beijing opera (京剧): before singing, the performer 'calls the beat' (叫板) to signal the orchestra. It evolved into meaning 'to issue a public challenge' — the theatrical origins give it a dramatic flair.

Stroke Order

叫 jiào

板 bǎn