TongTong
Sign in

助兴 (zhù xīng) — to liven up (an occasion), to add to the fun

Definition

A verb meaning to add to the fun or liven up a gathering (with music, jokes, games, etc.). Often used as 助助兴 in casual suggestions. Not a near-synonym of 兴奋 (excited) — it describes what the host does, not how guests feel.

verb
to liven up (an occasion)to add to the fun

Examples

  • 助兴。
    Lái diǎn yīn yuè zhù xīng ba.
    Let's have some music to liven things up.
  • 。
    Tā jiǎng le yí gè xiào hua zhù le xīng.
    He told a joke and livened things up.
  • ？
    Dà jiā wán yóu xì zhù zhù xìng zěn me yàng?
    How about we play a game to liven things up?

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

助zhùhelp
兴xīngfun

助 means 'to help' and 兴 means 'fun or mood', giving the sense of adding to enjoyment.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
力力lìstrong arm
Sound part声符shēngfú
且
且qiě助zhù
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

助 pairs 力, a strong arm, with 且, which gives the sound; the meaning is help with strength.

Open 助 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 興; 兴 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 興 shows four hands lifting an object; the simplified 兴 is not the form described.

Open 兴 →
Appears in
Emotions & Feelings

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.