拥戴 (yōng dài) — (formal) to support and hold in high esteem (a leader)

Definition

拥戴 (yōngdài) is a formal verb meaning to support and revere a leader — not casual backing like 支持, but loyal, esteem-laden endorsement, typically of a political or organizational leader.

verb
(formal) to support and hold in high esteem (a leader)

Examples

  • 拥戴。
    Rén mín dōu zhēn xīn yōng dài zhè wèi lǐng xiù.
    The people truly support and hold this leader in high esteem.
  • 拥戴。
    Tā zài gōng sī lǐ shēn shòu yuán gōng de yōng dài.
    He is deeply supported and esteemed by employees in the company.
  • 拥戴。
    Xīn lǐng dǎo shàng rèn bù jiǔ jiù huò dé le qún zhòng de yōng dài.
    The new leader soon gained the support and esteem of the masses after taking office.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

拥yōnguphold
戴dàiesteem

拥 and 戴 both express upholding and esteeming, together supporting a leader.

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
用
用yòng拥yōng
Same sound today

拥 pairs 扌 (hand) with 用, which gives the sound.

Open 拥 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

戴 originally drew a person holding something on their head with both hands.

Open 戴 →

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