At the A1 level, you should think of '加重' (jiāzhòng) in its most literal sense: adding weight to something. Imagine you have a bag, and you put more books inside. You are 'adding weight.' In Chinese, '加' (jiā) means 'plus' or 'add,' like in 1+1. '重' (zhòng) means 'heavy.' So, '加重' simply means to make something heavier. While you might not use this word every day in basic conversation, you might see it on signs or in very simple sentences about physical objects. For example, '加重行李' (jiāzhòng xínglǐ) means to make your luggage heavier. At this stage, just remember: 加 (Add) + 重 (Heavy) = Make heavier. It is the opposite of '减轻' (jiǎnqīng), which means to make lighter. Focus on the physical meaning first to build a strong foundation for the abstract meanings you will learn later.
At the A2 level, you can start using '加重' (jiāzhòng) to talk about basic health and simple problems. When you have a cold and you don't sleep, your cold might get worse. In Chinese, we say '感冒加重了' (gǎnmào jiāzhòng le). The '了' at the end is very important because it shows a change—your cold was okay, but now it is heavier/worse. You can also use it for simple work situations. If your teacher gives you more homework, you can say '老师加重了我们的作业' (The teacher increased our homework load). Notice how '加重' is used here to mean 'increased the burden.' It’s still about 'weight,' but now it's the weight of work or the weight of an illness. Try to use it when you want to say something is becoming a bigger problem.
As a B1 learner, you should use '加重' (jiāzhòng) more naturally to describe worsening situations in various contexts. This is the level where you distinguish between '严重' (serious - adjective) and '加重' (to worsen - verb). You should be able to form sentences like '由于天气变冷,他的咳嗽加重了' (Due to the weather getting cold, his cough worsened). You will also encounter '加重' in news about the environment or economy, such as '加重污染' (aggravate pollution) or '加重经济压力' (increase economic pressure). At this stage, you should also learn the common phrase '加重语气' (jiāzhòng yǔqì), which means to speak with more emphasis. This shows you understand that 'weight' can also mean 'importance' or 'stress' in speech. You are moving beyond physical weight into abstract severity.
At the B2 level, your use of '加重' (jiāzhòng) should reflect a more sophisticated understanding of cause and effect. You should be able to use it in complex sentences to describe systemic issues. For example, '这一举措可能会加重社会不平等' (This measure might aggravate social inequality). You should also understand its use in legal and formal contexts, such as '加重处罚' (aggravating punishment/harsher sentencing) or '加重情节' (aggravating circumstances in a crime). At this level, you should be comfortable using '加重' as both a transitive verb (taking an object like '负担' or '压力') and an intransitive verb (where the subject is '病情' or '危机'). You should also be able to compare it with synonyms like '恶化' (èhuà) and know that '加重' specifically emphasizes the increasing burden or intensity of a negative state.
At the C1 level, you are expected to use '加重' (jiāzhòng) with precision in academic, professional, and literary contexts. You should be able to discuss the nuances of how certain factors '加重' a crisis versus how they might '恶化' (deteriorate) the situation. In your writing, you might use it to describe rhetorical strategies: '作者通过重复这个词来加重语气' (The author emphasizes the tone by repeating this word). You should also be familiar with technical uses, such as in physics or engineering (adding weight for stability) or in complex economic theories (how certain taxes '加重' the fiscal burden on specific demographics). Your understanding should include the historical and cultural weight of the characters, recognizing that '加重' carries a sense of inevitable progression if not corrected. You should be able to use it fluently in debates and formal presentations.
At the C2 level, '加重' (jiāzhòng) is a tool for subtle and powerful expression. You should be able to use it to describe the most complex social, psychological, and philosophical intensifications. You might use it to describe the '加重' of an existential crisis in a literary analysis or the '加重' of systemic risk in a financial report. You should be able to play with the word's dual meaning of physical weight and abstract severity to create metaphors. Your mastery should be such that you can identify when '加重' is used ironically or when it is the only word that can precisely capture the 'heaviness' of a developing situation. You should also be fully aware of its placement in classical-style four-character idioms or formal couplets, even if the word itself is modern, understanding how it fits into the broader rhythm of sophisticated Chinese prose.

加重 30초 만에

  • 加重 means to worsen or aggravate, often used for health, burdens, and stress.
  • It combines 'add' (加) and 'heavy' (重), implying a change to a more serious state.
  • Commonly used in medical, economic, and legal contexts to describe negative intensification.
  • Can also mean to add physical weight or emphasize a tone of voice.

The Chinese verb 加重 (jiāzhòng) is a compound word that combines two fundamental concepts: 加 (jiā), meaning 'to add' or 'to increase,' and 重 (zhòng), meaning 'heavy,' 'serious,' or 'weighty.' When these two characters converge, they create a powerful verb that primarily describes the process of making something more severe, more intense, or more burdensome. While it can occasionally refer to physical weight, its most frequent application in modern Mandarin is abstract, particularly in medical, economic, and social contexts. Understanding this word is crucial for B1 learners because it allows you to describe negative developments with precision. It is not just that something is 'bad'; it is that the situation has 'weighted down' further.

Medical Context
In healthcare, '加重' is the standard term for a condition getting worse. If a patient's cough was mild yesterday but is now severe, doctors will say the '病情加重了' (the illness has worsened). It implies a progression toward a more critical state.

如果不休息,你的感冒可能会加重。 (If you don't rest, your cold might worsen.)

Psychological and Social Burden
We also use '加重' to describe increasing pressure or responsibilities. When a boss gives an employee more tasks, they are '加重负担' (increasing the burden). This usage highlights the metaphorical 'weight' of stress and duty in human life.

Furthermore, '加重' can be used in linguistics or communication to mean 'to emphasize' or 'to stress.' For example, 加重语气 (jiāzhòng yǔqì) means to add emphasis to one's tone of voice. This shows the versatility of the word; it isn't always about negative health outcomes, but about any form of 'intensification' that makes a specific element more prominent or 'heavy' in the listener's mind. In legal contexts, it refers to making a punishment more severe, such as 加重处罚 (jiāzhòng chǔfá). This breadth of usage makes it a high-frequency word in news reports, formal documents, and daily conversations about health and work.

这种新政策会加重穷人的生活压力。 (This new policy will aggravate the living pressure of the poor.)

Environmental Impact
Environmentalists often use '加重' to discuss pollution. Emissions '加重' (aggravate) global warming. This usage links human actions directly to the worsening state of the natural world.

In summary, '加重' is a versatile verb that bridges the physical and the metaphorical. Whether you are describing a worsening fever, an increased workload, a more severe legal penalty, or emphasized speech, '加重' captures the essence of adding weight to a situation. It is inherently dynamic, suggesting a change from a lighter or less serious state to a heavier or more significant one. Mastering this word allows you to articulate the severity of changes in various professional and personal domains.

Using 加重 (jiāzhòng) correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as both an intransitive and a transitive verb. When used intransitively, it often follows a noun that represents a condition or state, indicating that the state itself has become more severe. When used transitively, it takes an object that represents the thing being made heavier or more serious. This duality is one of the reasons why '加重' is so common in both spoken and written Chinese.

Pattern 1: [Subject] + 加重了
This is the most common way to describe a worsening condition. The subject is usually an illness, a problem, or a negative state. Example: 他的病情加重了 (His illness has worsened). The addition of '了' signifies a change of state.

由于连续加班,他的疲劳感明显加重了。 (Due to continuous overtime, his sense of fatigue has clearly worsened.)

Pattern 2: [Cause] + 加重了 + [Object]
In this transitive structure, an external factor acts upon an object to increase its weight or severity. Common objects include 负担 (burden), 压力 (pressure), 危机 (crisis), and 语气 (tone). Example: 经济危机加重了失业问题 (The economic crisis aggravated the unemployment problem).

Another important usage involves the physical modification of objects. For example, in engineering or construction, one might 加重底盘 (weigh down the chassis) to increase stability. Here, '加重' is literally adding weight. However, even in these physical contexts, the verb implies a deliberate action to reach a specific 'heavy' state.

为了让鱼钩沉得快一点,他在线上加重了铅块。 (To make the hook sink faster, he added more weight to the lead sinker.)

Pattern 3: [Verb] + 得 + 加重了
This structure uses '加重' as a complement of degree, though it is less common than the first two. It describes the extent to which a situation has progressed. Example: 病得加重了 (Sick to the point of worsening).

Finally, when discussing communication, '加重' is paired with '语气' (tone) to indicate emphasis. 他加重语气说:“这是最后一次!” (He said with emphasis: "This is the last time!"). This usage is essential for reading literature or news where the speaker's intent is being described. In all these patterns, the core meaning of 'increasing weight/severity' remains the anchor, allowing learners to predict its meaning even in unfamiliar phrases.

The word 加重 (jiāzhòng) permeates several specific domains of Chinese life, and you are likely to encounter it in both formal media and serious interpersonal discussions. Because it deals with the intensification of problems, it is a staple of news reporting and professional assessments.

In the Hospital (医院)
This is perhaps the most frequent place to hear '加重'. Doctors use it to update family members on a patient's status. If you hear '病情不稳定,有加重的趋势' (The condition is unstable and has a tendency to worsen), it is a serious warning. It is also used in medical instructions: '如果症状加重,请立即就医' (If symptoms worsen, please seek medical attention immediately).

医生说,如果不按时吃药,炎症会加重。 (The doctor said if the medicine isn't taken on time, the inflammation will worsen.)

In News and Economics (新闻与经济)
News anchors frequently use '加重' to describe worsening social or economic issues. You might hear about '加重通货膨胀' (aggravating inflation) or '加重地区紧张局势' (intensifying regional tensions). In these contexts, the word conveys a sense of growing crisis and urgency.

In the workplace, '加重' appears during performance reviews or project planning. A manager might acknowledge that a certain project will '加重团队的工作量' (increase the team's workload). It is a way to formally recognize that more is being asked of people. In legal dramas or news, you will hear about '加重情节' (aggravating circumstances), which are factors that make a crime more serious and lead to harsher sentencing.

全球变暖正在加重某些地区的干旱情况。 (Global warming is aggravating the drought conditions in certain regions.)

Lastly, in educational settings, teachers use '加重' when teaching pronunciation or rhetoric. They might tell a student to '加重这个词的读音' (emphasize the pronunciation of this word). This variety of contexts—from the life-and-death stakes of a hospital to the technical nuances of a classroom—proves that '加重' is a versatile tool for describing any form of intensification.

While 加重 (jiāzhòng) is a straightforward word, English speakers often make mistakes by confusing it with similar-sounding or similar-meaning words. The most common errors involve using '加重' for positive increases or confusing it with the adjective '严重' (yánzhòng).

Mistake 1: Confusing '加重' (Verb) with '严重' (Adjective)
'严重' means 'serious' or 'grave' (an adjective), while '加重' means 'to make serious' or 'to worsen' (a verb). You cannot say '他的病很加重' (His illness is very worsen). Instead, say '他的病很严重' (His illness is very serious) or '他的病加重了' (His illness has worsened).

❌ 他的感冒很加重
✅ 他的感冒很严重。
✅ 他的感冒加重了。

Mistake 2: Using '加重' for Positive Growth
As mentioned before, '加重' almost always carries a negative or heavy connotation. Learners sometimes try to use it to mean 'to increase' in general. For example, saying '加重我的汉语水平' (worsen my Chinese level) is incorrect. You should use '提高' (tígāo - improve) or '增加' (zēngjiā - increase).

Another subtle mistake occurs with word order. '加重' is a verb, so it needs to follow the subject or cause the change. Some learners mistakenly use it as a noun. For instance, '这是一种加重' (This is a worsening) is awkward in Chinese. It is much more natural to say '这加重了情况' (This worsened the situation).

❌ 这种药可以减少加重
✅ 这种药可以防止病情加重。

Mistake 3: Overlooking the '了' (le)
Because '加重' often describes a change in condition, it is frequently paired with '了'. Leaving out the '了' when describing a current state of worsening can make your Chinese sound stiff or incomplete. '病加重' sounds like a dictionary entry; '病加重了' sounds like a natural observation.

To truly master 加重 (jiāzhòng), you must see how it compares to its synonyms. Each word has a specific 'flavor' or register that determines when it is the best choice.

加重 (jiāzhòng) vs. 恶化 (èhuà)
'加重' focuses on the increase in 'weight' or 'severity.' '恶化' (deteriorate) focuses on the quality becoming 'evil' or 'bad.' While they are often interchangeable with illnesses, '恶化' is more formal and is frequently used for relationships or political situations (e.g., 关系恶化 - relations deteriorated).

病情加重 (Condition worsened) vs. 局势恶化 (The situation deteriorated).

加重 (jiāzhòng) vs. 增加 (zēngjiā)
'增加' is the neutral word for 'to increase' in quantity or number. You '增加人数' (increase the number of people). '加重' is used when that increase specifically results in something becoming more serious or difficult. You '加重负担' (increase the burden), not just '增加负担' (though both are possible, '加重' emphasizes the weight).
加重 (jiāzhòng) vs. 剧增 (jùzēng)
'剧增' means to increase sharply or dramatically. It is about the speed and scale of the increase. '加重' is about the resulting seriousness. If the number of patients '剧增' (increases sharply), it will '加重' (aggravate) the hospital's burden.

Finally, consider 深化 (shēnhuà). While '加重' is usually negative, '深化' means 'to deepen' and is often used for understanding or reform. You would 深化改革 (deepen reform) but 加重危机 (aggravate a crisis). Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize weight (加重), quality (恶化), quantity (增加), or depth (深化).

재미있는 사실

In ancient Chinese, '重' (zhòng) and '童' (tóng - child) shared phonetic roots. The character '重' originally looked like a person carrying a heavy sack on their back.

발음 가이드

UK jiā zhòng
US jiā zhòng
The stress is slightly more on the second syllable 'zhòng' to emphasize the 'heaviness'.
라임이 맞는 단어
动 (dòng) 送 (sòng) 痛 (tòng) 梦 (mèng) 用 (yòng) 种 (zhòng) 空 (kòng) 重 (zhòng)
자주 하는 실수
  • Pronouncing 'zhòng' as 'chóng' (which means 'again' or 'repeat').
  • Failing to make the fourth tone on 'zhòng' sharp enough.
  • Mixing up the tones, making it sound like 'jiǎzhòng' (fake weight).
  • Pronouncing 'jiā' with a rising tone.
  • Confusing 'zhòng' with 'zhōng' (middle).

수준별 예문

1

这个包太轻了,请加重一点。

This bag is too light, please make it a bit heavier.

加重 is used here as a verb meaning 'to add weight.'

2

他在水里加重了石头。

He added heavy stones to the water.

Simple Subject-Verb-Object structure.

3

加重这个箱子。

Make this box heavier.

Imperative sentence.

4

我不喜欢太重的包,不要再加重了。

I don't like heavy bags, don't make it any heavier.

Using '了' to indicate 'anymore' in a negative sentence.

5

加重一点点。

Add a tiny bit of weight.

一点点 modifies the verb.

6

这个东西可以加重吗?

Can this thing be made heavier?

Using '可以' (can) with the verb.

7

我要加重我的行李。

I want to make my luggage heavier.

Subject + want + verb + object.

8

他在纸上加重了笔画。

He made the brushstrokes heavier on the paper.

Physical intensification of a stroke.

1

你感冒了,别出去,会加重的。

You have a cold, don't go out, it will get worse.

加重 is used for illness worsening.

2

老师加重了今天的作业。

The teacher increased today's homework.

Abstract burden (homework).

3

如果不休息,累会加重的。

If you don't rest, the tiredness will worsen.

Describing the intensification of a feeling.

4

雨变大了,水灾加重了。

The rain got heavier, the flood worsened.

Environmental problem worsening.

5

他的头疼加重了,需要吃药。

His headache worsened, he needs to take medicine.

Physical symptom worsening.

6

这个坏消息加重了他的难过。

This bad news worsened his sadness.

Intensifying an emotion.

7

别加重我的负担。

Don't increase my burden.

Common phrase '加重负担'.

8

这里的污染加重了。

The pollution here has worsened.

Simple observation of a worsening state.

1

由于缺乏锻炼,他的病情加重了。

Due to a lack of exercise, his condition worsened.

Using '由于' (due to) to explain the cause.

2

说话时,他加重了语气。

When speaking, he emphasized his tone.

Common phrase '加重语气'.

3

新政策加重了小企业的经济压力。

The new policy aggravated the economic pressure on small businesses.

Transitive use with abstract object '压力'.

4

这种药不仅没用,反而加重了过敏。

This medicine was not only useless, but on the contrary, it worsened the allergy.

Using '反而' (on the contrary) to show an unexpected negative result.

5

如果不及时修理,漏水会加重的。

If not repaired in time, the leak will worsen.

Describing a physical problem becoming more severe.

6

环境问题正在加重全球危机。

Environmental issues are aggravating the global crisis.

High-level abstract object '危机'.

7

他加重了手里的砝码。

He increased the weights in his hand.

Literal use in a more complex sentence structure.

8

长期熬夜会加重皮肤问题。

Staying up late long-term will worsen skin problems.

Cause and effect relationship.

1

这种不负责任的行为只会加重矛盾。

This irresponsible behavior will only aggravate the conflict.

Using '只会' (will only) to emphasize a negative outcome.

2

法院决定加重对他的处罚。

The court decided to increase his punishment.

Legal context: '加重处罚'.

3

人口老龄化加重了社会的养老负担。

The aging population has increased the social burden of elderly care.

Societal analysis.

4

战争加重了该地区的贫困程度。

The war aggravated the level of poverty in the region.

Abstract object '贫困程度'.

5

他在演讲中加重了对教育公平的强调。

In his speech, he increased the emphasis on educational equity.

Metaphorical 'weight' as emphasis.

6

干旱加重了当地的粮食短缺。

The drought aggravated the local food shortage.

Environmental/Economic cause and effect.

7

这种设计是为了加重车尾的重量以保持平衡。

This design is intended to add weight to the rear of the car to maintain balance.

Technical/Engineering context.

8

任何延误都可能加重病人的痛苦。

Any delay might aggravate the patient's suffering.

Emotive abstract object '痛苦'.

1

过度开采自然资源进一步加重了生态失衡。

Over-exploitation of natural resources has further aggravated the ecological imbalance.

Using '进一步' (further) to show progression.

2

辩护律师试图证明被告并无加重情节。

The defense lawyer tried to prove that the defendant had no aggravating circumstances.

Legal term '加重情节'.

3

通货膨胀加重了中产阶级的焦虑感。

Inflation has intensified the sense of anxiety among the middle class.

Psychological/Sociological context.

4

他故意加重了最后几个词的读音,以示警告。

He deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of the last few words as a warning.

Describing intentional linguistic emphasis.

5

频繁的贸易摩擦加重了全球经济的不确定性。

Frequent trade frictions have aggravated the uncertainty of the global economy.

Complex economic analysis.

6

这种化学反应会加重有毒物质的释放。

This chemical reaction will aggravate the release of toxic substances.

Scientific/Technical context.

7

他的沉默反而加重了对方的怀疑。

His silence, on the contrary, intensified the other party's suspicion.

Interpersonal dynamics.

8

为了应对结构性风险,银行加重了风险储备。

To deal with structural risks, the bank increased its risk reserves.

Financial/Institutional usage.

1

这种叙事手法加重了小说悲剧性的色彩。

This narrative technique intensifies the tragic color of the novel.

Literary criticism.

2

该地区的历史积怨加重了现有的政治僵局。

The historical grievances of the region have aggravated the existing political stalemate.

Advanced political discourse.

3

作者在文中多次加重笔墨描写那场灾难。

The author repeatedly used 'heavy ink' (extensive description) to depict that disaster.

Idiomatic use of '加重笔墨' for detailed description.

4

这种药物的副作用可能会加重肝脏的代谢压力。

The side effects of this drug may increase the metabolic stress on the liver.

Precise biological/medical terminology.

5

如果不进行结构性改革,债务危机只会持续加重。

Without structural reforms, the debt crisis will only continue to worsen.

Macroeconomic forecasting.

6

他那充满讽刺的加重语气让现场气氛降到了冰点。

His sarcastic emphasized tone brought the atmosphere of the scene to a freezing point.

Nuanced social interaction description.

7

这种算法偏见加重了对特定群体的歧视。

This algorithmic bias has aggravated discrimination against specific groups.

Contemporary technological/social critique.

8

在某些法律体系中,累犯会被视为加重处罚的理由。

In some legal systems, recidivism is seen as a reason for increased punishment.

Formal legal theory.

자주 쓰는 조합

加重负担
病情加重
加重语气
加重处罚
加重压力
加重情节
加重污染
加重危机
加重比例
加重砝码

자주 쓰는 구문

加重处理

— To handle a matter with increased severity.

对于违规行为,我们将加重处理。

加重课业

— To increase the schoolwork load.

学校不应该随意加重课业。

加重色彩

— To intensify the mood or style (e.g., in art or writing).

这几句话加重了故事的神秘色彩。

加重语气词

— To emphasize modal particles in speech.

他通过加重语气词来表达不满。

加重打击

— To strike harder or intensify a crackdown.

我们要加重打击网络犯罪。

加重病势

— Similar to 病情加重, referring to the trend of an illness.

受凉会加重病势。

加重劳动

— To increase physical labor.

不合理的安排加重了工人的劳动。

加重课税

— To increase taxation.

政府决定对奢侈品加重课税。

加重分量

— To increase the weight or significance of something.

这句话在报告中加重了分量。

加重伤害

— To worsen an injury or hurt.

不当的救助可能会加重伤害。

관용어 및 표현

"变本加厉"

— To become even more severe; to worsen significantly (often used for bad behavior).

他不仅没改,反而变本加厉地欺负同学。

Idiomatic/Negative
"雪上加霜"

— To add hail to snow; to make a bad situation even worse.

失业对他来说简直是雪上加霜。

Common Idiom
"火上浇油"

— To pour oil on the fire; to aggravate a situation or conflict.

他的话只会火上浇油,让大家更生气。

Common Idiom
"推波助澜"

— To add fuel to the flames; to encourage a trend (usually a bad one).

媒体的报道对这场风波起到了推波助澜的作用。

Formal Idiom
"重于泰山"

— Heavier than Mount Tai; very significant/important (shares the '重' character).

有些人的牺牲重于泰山。

Literary
"厚此薄彼"

— To favor one and discriminate against the other (shares the concept of relative weight).

做父母的不能厚此薄彼。

Common Idiom
"安土重迁"

— Attached to one's home and reluctant to move (shares '重' in the sense of valuing/heavy).

老人大多安土重迁。

Formal
"任重道远"

— A heavy load and a long road; a great responsibility.

环境保护工作任重道远。

Formal Idiom
"语重心长"

— To speak with sincere and heavy heart; meaningful words.

老师语重心长地叮嘱我们要努力学习。

Positive Idiom
"举足轻重"

— To hold a balance of power; to be of great importance.

他在公司里处于举足轻重的地位。

Formal Idiom

어휘 가족

명사

重量 (zhòngliàng) - weight
重心 (zhòngxīn) - center of gravity
负担 (fùdān) - burden

동사

加 (jiā) - to add
增加 (zēngjiā) - to increase
减轻 (jiǎnqīng) - to lighten

형용사

严重 (yánzhòng) - serious
沉重 (chénzhòng) - heavy/burdensome
重要 (zhòngyào) - important

관련

恶化 (èhuà)
加剧 (jiājù)
强化 (qiánghuà)
深重 (shēnzhòng)
重点 (zhòngdiǎn)

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기억법

Think of the '+' sign (加) and a heavy weight (重). When you put a '+' sign on top of a weight, the situation gets 'heavier' or 'worse.'

시각적 연상

Imagine a scale where someone is dropping a giant rock (重) onto the side that already has a 'Problem' (加).

Word Web

加重 病情 负担 压力 语气 处罚 污染 危机

챌린지

Try to use '加重' in three different ways today: once for health, once for work stress, and once for emphasizing a word in speech.

어원

The character 加 (jiā) consists of 力 (strength/force) and 口 (mouth), originally suggesting 'to praise' or 'to add words of strength.' The character 重 (zhòng) depicts a person standing on the earth with a large bundle, symbolizing 'weight' or 'heaviness.' Combined, they literally mean 'adding weight.'

원래 의미: To increase the physical weight of an object.

Sino-Tibetan / Sinitic

문화적 맥락

English speakers often say 'it got worse,' which is more general. '加重' is more specific to 'severity' and 'weight.'

Medical journals in China frequently use '病情加重' as a standard clinical term. News reports on the 'Double Reductio
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