加油
Chinese
Chinese phrasebook
![]() | This entry is part of the phrasebook project, which presents criteria for inclusion based on utility, simplicity and commonness. |
FWOTD – 15 November 2014
to add; plus | oil; sly | ||
---|---|---|---|
simp. and trad. (加油) | 加 | 油 | |
Literally: “to increase fuel”. |
Etymology
It started to be used as an interjection in the '60s and '70s during the Macau Grand Prix when people start chanting "加油", urging the drivers to step on the gas pedal to increase speed.
Pronunciation
Verb
加⫽油 (verb-object) (intransitive)
- (literally) to oil; to lubricate
- (literally) to refuel
- (figuratively) to refuel to accelerate; to hit the gas
- (figuratively) to make extra effort; to work hard
- (figuratively) to cheer someone on
Synonyms
Dialectal synonyms of 加油 (“to refuel (a vehicle)”) [map]
Variety | Location | Words edit |
---|---|---|
Formal (Written Standard Chinese) | 加油 | |
Mandarin | Beijing | 加油 |
Taiwan | 加油 | |
Guilin | 加油 | |
Malaysia | 打油 | |
Singapore | 打油 | |
Dagudi (Maliba) | 上油 | |
Reshuitang (Longling) | 上油 | |
Mae Salong (Lancang) | 上油 | |
Mae Sai (Tengchong) | 上油 | |
Cantonese | Hong Kong | 入油 |
Gan | Lichuan | 加油 |
Hakka | Miaoli (N. Sixian) | 添油, 加油 |
Pingtung (Neipu; S. Sixian) | 添油, 加油 | |
Hsinchu County (Zhudong; Hailu) | 添油, 加油 | |
Taichung (Dongshi; Dabu) | 添油, 加油 | |
Hsinchu County (Qionglin; Raoping) | 添油, 加油 | |
Yunlin (Lunbei; Zhao'an) | 添油, 加油 | |
Kuching (Hepo) | 打油 | |
Jin | Taiyuan | 加油 |
Min Nan | Xiamen | 添油 |
Zhao'an | 加油 | |
Taipei | 加油 GT | |
Penang (Hokkien) | 拍油, 添油 | |
Singapore (Hokkien) | 拍油 | |
Manila (Hokkien) | 入油 | |
Chaozhou | 加油 | |
Haifeng | 加油 | |
Note | GT - General Taiwanese (no specific region identified) |
Derived terms
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Interjection
加油!
- come on!; go for it!; go!
- 加油,你能行的! ― Jiāyóu, nǐ néng xíng de! ― Come on, you can do it!
- 中國,加油!/中国,加油! ― Zhōngguó, jiāyóu! ― Go, China!
Usage notes
- This interjection is idiomatic. It is mainly used during sporting events, games or competitions, or just to encourage someone.
Synonyms
- (informal) 乾巴得/干巴得 (gānbādei)
- (Sichuanese) 雄起 (xióngqǐ)