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支持 (zhī chí) — to support, to back, to be in favor of

Definition

支持 (zhīchí) means to back or stand behind someone — a person, a plan, a decision — by approving or helping it. Compare 依靠 (rely on for need) and 后盾 (a reliable protector behind you).

verb
to supportto backto be in favor of
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 支持。
    Wǒ men zhī chí nǐ de jué dìng.
    We support your decision.
  • 支持。
    Hěn duō rén zài huì shàng zhī chí le zhè ge jì huà.
    Many people supported this plan at the meeting.
  • 支持。
    Fù mǔ yì zhí zhī chí wǒ xué yīn yuè.
    My parents have always supported me in studying music.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

支zhīsupport
持chíhold

支 ('support') and 持 ('hold') combine to mean to back or maintain.

Characters in this word

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

支 pairs 又 (hand) with 十, a shortened form of 竹 (bamboo), to picture a bamboo branch.

Open 支 →

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
手手shǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
寺
寺sì持chí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

持 combines 手 (hand), for the idea of holding, with 寺, which gives the sound.

Open 持 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4HSK 2.0 Level 41000 Most Frequent Chinese WordsAttitudes & Opinions2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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