加油
jiāyóu
In Chinese, 加油 (jiāyóu) is the phrase used to say 'jiayou', an expression to encourage someone to keep going or to wish them luck.
The phrase is used as a general cheer to encourage someone facing a challenge, such as an athlete in a race, a student taking an exam or a friend in a difficult situation. It conveys meanings like 'keep going', 'good luck' or 'go for it'.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means 'add oil'. The first character 加 means 'to add' and the second character 油 means 'oil' or 'fuel'. This functions as a metaphor for fueling up or stepping on the gas to keep moving.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, it is common to double the phrase by saying 加油加油.
How do you pronounce it?
jiāyóu
Did you know?
- The phrase originated from the crowds at the Macau Grand Prix in the 1960s and 1970s, where fans shouted 加油 to urge racing drivers to step on the gas pedal.
- The concept of 加油 is so pervasive that it inspired the 'Add Oil' expression in English-language Hong Kong and Singaporean slang, where it is used as a direct translation.
- Unlike the English 'good luck', which implies a result depends on fate, 加油 emphasizes personal effort and persistence, making it a 'cheer' rather than a 'wish'.
Examples in context
- 大家加油Everyone, jiayou!
- 比赛加油！Bǐsài jiāyóu!Good luck in the match!
- 考试加油，你可以的。Kǎoshì jiāyóu, nǐ kěyǐ de.Good luck with your exam, you can do it.
- 大家都说要加油。Dàjiā dōu shuō yào jiāyóu.Everyone says we should keep going.
Example conversation
Junjie is preparing for a big presentation at work.
- 梓涵 Zihan明天的演讲加油！Míngtiān de yǎnjiǎng jiāyóu!Good luck with your speech tomorrow!
- 俊杰 Junjie谢谢，我很紧张。Xièxiè, wǒ hěn jǐnzhāng.Thanks, I am very nervous.
- 梓涵 Zihan别担心，你一定行。Bié dānxīn, nǐ yīdìng xíng.Don't worry, you will definitely do well.
- 俊杰 Junjie我会努力加油的。Wǒ huì nǔlì jiāyóu de.I will do my best.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 加油, CC BY-SA 4.0.
