Definition
扶 (fú) means to physically support someone or something with your hand—helping someone up, holding onto a wall, or steadying an object. It is more specific than 帮/帮助 (bāng/bāngzhù), which mean general 'help' or 'assist' without the physical sense. 扶持 (fúchí) is a more formal word for support (policy, aid), while 扶 is concrete and everyday.
verb
to support with the handto help (someone) upto hold onto (something) for support
Easily confused
- 夹jiālook-alike(verb) to press from either side; to pinch between
- 付fùsound-aliketo pay
- 跌diēlook-aliketo fall, to tumble (of a person or object)
- 副fùsound-alike(classifier) for pairs, sets, and facial expressions
- 铁tiělook-alikeiron (metal); (literary) arms, weapons
- 副fùsound-alikesecondary; auxiliary; vice- (in official titles)
- 幅fúsound-alike(classifier) for paintings, pictures, and textiles (curtains, cloth, etc.)
- 服fúsound-aliketo take (medicine)
- 负fùsound-alike(verb) to bear, to carry (a burden, responsibility, debt)
- 福fúsound-alikegood fortune; happiness; luck
Examples
- ，扶。Tā shuāi dǎo le, wǒ gǎnjǐn guòqù fú tā qǐlai.He fell, and I quickly went over to help him up.
- ，扶。Shàng lóutī de shíhou, tā fú zhe qiáng mànmàn zǒu.When going up the stairs, she walked slowly holding onto the wall.
- 扶，。Qǐng fú zhù yǎnjìng, bié ràng tā diào xiàlai.Please hold onto your glasses, don't let them fall.
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