叫板

jiàobǎn

verb HSK 7-9

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

HSK 5

他敢跟老板叫板。

Tā gǎn gēn lǎobǎn jiàobǎn.

He dared to challenge the boss.

HSK 7-9

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.

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