支持
zhīchí
In Chinese, to support is 支持 (zhīchí).
支持 is used to express backing a cause, a person or a party, either mentally or through concrete aid. This includes abstract support, such as supporting an idea, as well as concrete support, such as providing technical or financial assistance.
Meaning: to back a cause, party, etc., mentally or with concrete aid (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 支持 is a general term for support, other words may be more specific. 赞成 (zàn chéng) implies agreement and support and is used in formal discussions. 拥护 (yōng hù) implies strong support and backing, typically for a person, a policy or an ideology.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese (Guǎngdōng huà), the term 支持 (zi1 ci4) is used for both formal and informal contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Similar to English, 支持 functions as both a verb and a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
zhīchí
Did you know?
- While 支持 expresses support for a cause, the word 支撑 (zhīchēng) is used for physical support, such as a pillar holding up a roof. Using 支持 to describe a physical beam would sound like the beam is mentally cheering for the building.
- The term 拥护 (yōnghù), a stronger version of support, literally contains the characters for 'embrace' and 'protect', suggesting a more protective and loyal bond than the general 支持.
- To show support during a performance, Chinese audiences may shout 支持 or 加油 (jiāyóu), but the latter literally means 'add oil' and is far more common for emotional encouragement.
Examples in context
- 我支持政治改革。I support political reform.This sentence shows how to use 支持 to express support for political reform.Tatoeba #5384769 by xjjAstrus, translation #7819964 by sharris123
- 我們需要她的支持。We need her support.This sentence demonstrates using 支持 as a noun to express the need for someone's support.Tatoeba #13861329 by LeviHighway, translation #8388639 by Luiaard
- 我從小到大都是個酷兒小孩，從學校、老師或大多數同學那裡得不到任何支持，感到孤立無援，覺得自己從根本上就是有問題的。我很高興現況已有所改變，但對於那股反對支持與肯定酷兒兒童之風氣的反動勢力感到厭惡。Growing up as a queer kid, I had no support whatsoever from school, from teachers, or from most other kids, and I felt isolated and fundamentally bad. I'm glad things have changed, but disgusted by the reactionary movement that has risen up against the practice of supporting and affirming queer kids.This sentence illustrates using 支持 in the context of providing or lacking support and affirmation.Tatoeba #13858740 by LeviHighway, translation #11451310 by shekitten
- 我完全支持您的决定。I fully support your decision.
- 我赞成这个计划。I support this plan.
- 我拥护政府的这项政策。I support this government policy.
- 我会一直支持你的。I will always support you.
- 别担心，我会支持你的选择。Don't worry, I will support your decision.
- 你可以去尝试一下，我顶你！You can give it a try, I support you!
- 我会支持你嘅。I will support you.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a local charity project.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你支持這個慈善計畫嗎？Nǐ zhīchí zhège cìshàn jìhuà ma?Do you support this charity project?
- 伟 Wei我非常支持，我也會捐款。Wǒ fēicháng zhīchí, wǒ yě huì juānkuǎn.I support it very much, and I will also donate money.
- 佳怡 Jiayi太好了，我也會去幫忙。Tài hǎole, wǒ yě huì qù bāngmáng.That's great, I will go to help too.
- 伟 Wei那我們一起支持他們吧。Nà wǒmen yīqǐ zhīchí tāmen ba.Then let's support them together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “support” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
