救援 (jiù yuán) — to rescue, to provide emergency aid | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A formal, organized 'rescue' — typically an official operation (救援队, 救援行动), more structured than the everyday 帮助. Pairs with 抢救 for emergency/life-saving, vs 拯救 which adds the sense of saving from broader danger or crisis.

verb

to rescueto provide emergency aid

Examples

救援。
jiù yuán Rén yuán yǐ jīng dào dá xiàn chǎng.
The rescue personnel have already arrived at the scene.
救援。
Tā men zhèng zài nǔ lì jiù yuán bèi kùn de yóu kè.
They are working hard to rescue the stranded tourists.
救援。
Zhè cì jiù yuán xíng dòng fēi cháng chéng gōng.
This rescue operation was very successful.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

救 gives rescue, and 援 gives aid, together meaning to rescue or provide help.

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

攴攴pū

Sound part声符shēngfú

求

求qiú救jiù

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 救, 求 gives the sound, and 攴 is the action part.

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

扌爰援

Meaning part形符xíngfú

扌Written in full as手shǒuhand

Sound part声符shēngfú

爰

爰yuán援yuán

Same sound today

In 援, the left 扌 (written fully as 手) is a hand, and the right 爰 tells you how it sounds.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Safety & Danger 5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.