ZHIZHI 知止 · LEARN CHINESE DAILY
助
to help; assist
zhù
7 strokes · 且 (stacked offerings, sound) + 力 (strength) — strength added on · HSK 2
What 助 is made of
且 + 力 = 助
且moreover; and; for the time being qiě 力strength; power; force lì
Where 助 comes from
力 is a plow, the ancient unit of muscle. 且 lends sound and the sense of stacking. 助 is strength stacked onto someone else's effort — help as literally adding your plow to their field.
助 in Chinese culture
The Mencius used 助 for the well-field system: eight families 助 (jointly worked) the public plot in the middle. 互助 mutual aid remains the organizing word of Chinese villages and group chats alike — help is a verb you owe your neighbors.
Example
帮助 bāngzhù — to help
谢谢你的帮助。
Xièxie nǐ de bāngzhù.
Thank you for your help.
How to remember it
Stack 且 your strength 力 onto someone's load — that's HELP.
助攻 'assist' in sports and gaming borrowed 助 — the stat for helping someone else score.
Same sound, different tones
Words unlocked by 助
帮助 bāngzhù
to help
互助 hùzhù
mutual aid
Related characters
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