TongTong
Sign in

抬举 (tái jǔ) — to praise and promote; to show favor or appreciation to someone; (in negative constructions) to not appreciate a kindness or opportunity

Definition

Used when a superior or senior singles someone out for praise or advancement. The fixed expression 不识抬举 means 'ungrateful for the favor shown'.

verb
to praise and promoteto show favor or appreciation to someone(in negative constructions) to not appreciate a kindness or opportunity

Examples

  • 抬举，。
    Lǐng dǎo zhè me tái jǔ nǐ, nǐ kě dé hǎo hǎo gān.
    The boss is showing you such favor — you must work hard.
  • 抬举，，抬举。
    Bié rén tái jǔ nǐ, nǐ fǎn dào shēng qì le, zhēn shì bù shí tái jǔ.
    Someone does you a favor, but you get angry instead — how ungrateful.
  • 抬举，。
    Tā jué de zì jǐ bèi tái jǔ le, xīn lǐ tè bié gāo xìng.
    He felt that he was being appreciated, and was very happy inside.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

抬táilift
举jǔraise

“抬” and “举” both mean lift, together suggesting praise or promotion.

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
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
台
台tái抬tái
Same sound today

In 抬, the 扌 part relates to the hand, and 台 gives the sound.

Open 抬 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 舉; 举 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
與
與yǔ舉jǔ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 舉 pairs 與, which gives the sound, with 手, a hand; the simplified 举 is a later shorthand.

Open 举 →
Appears in
Attitudes & Opinions

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