‘奖励’ (jiǎng lì) is a compound word meaning ‘reward’ or ‘prize’, used both as a noun and a verb. The first character 奖 (jiǎng) means ‘to praise’ or ‘to award’, while 励 (lì) means ‘to encourage’ or ‘to inspire’. Together, they convey the idea of giving something positive — material or symbolic — to recognize effort, achievement, or good behavior. It’s commonly used in educational, workplace, and family contexts, such as teachers rewarding students for excellent work or companies giving bonuses to top performers.

This word carries a formal, positive, and socially approved connotation. Unlike casual terms like 小礼物 (small gift), 奖励 implies intentionality and value — it’s not just a present, but recognition with purpose. It can refer to tangible items (e.g., money, trophies), privileges (e.g., extra break time), or intangible affirmations (e.g., public praise). While often associated with institutions, it’s also used at home — for example, parents may promise a reward for completing chores or studying diligently.