照顾
zhàogù
To take care of
Literally: {"\u7167\u987e":"zh\u00e0o (take care of, attend to) + g\u00f9 (care for, look after)"}
In 15 Seconds
- Actively looking after someone or something.
- Implies responsibility and genuine care.
- Use for people, pets, or things needing attention.
- Avoid for abstract ideas or simple tasks.
Meaning
Think of `照顾` (zhàogù) as the ultimate 'look-out-for-you' phrase. It's more than just basic care; it carries a sense of responsibility, warmth, and genuine concern. You use it when you're actively ensuring someone or something is well and happy, whether it's a child, an elderly parent, a pet, or even a project you're invested in. It’s about providing support and making sure things are okay.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend who is sick
你好好休息，我会帮你`照顾`好你的猫。
Rest well, I'll help take good care of your cat.
A parent talking to their child leaving for college
出门在外，一定要`照顾`好自己。
When you're away from home, you must take good care of yourself.
Job interview question
您认为您最大的优点是什么？我善于`照顾`团队成员的需求。
What do you consider your greatest strength? I am good at taking care of my team members' needs.
Cultural Background
Essential for filial piety.
Tone check
Both are 4th tone.
In 15 Seconds
- Actively looking after someone or something.
- Implies responsibility and genuine care.
- Use for people, pets, or things needing attention.
- Avoid for abstract ideas or simple tasks.
What It Means
照顾 (zhàogù) is your go-to word for showing you're looking after someone or something. It’s not just a quick check-in; it implies sustained attention and responsibility. Imagine a warm hug in word form – that’s 照顾. It’s about making sure someone or something is safe, comfortable, and well. You might 照顾 a baby, an elderly relative, a sick friend, or even a plant that needs extra love. It’s a deeply caring action.
How To Use It
You use 照顾 when you are actively involved in someone's well-being or the upkeep of something. It's a verb, so it usually comes after the subject and before the object. For example, 'I will take care of the baby' becomes '我照顾宝宝' (Wǒ zhàogù bǎobao). It can also be used as a noun phrase, like 'your 照顾' (nǐ de zhàogù), meaning 'your care' or 'your looking after me.' It’s versatile, fitting many situations.
Real-Life Examples
- A student moving abroad texts their parents: '妈，我在这边一切都好，你们不用
照顾我。' (Mom, everything is fine here, you don't need to worry about me.) - A manager to a new intern: '有什么问题随时问，我会
照顾你的。' (Ask any questions anytime, I'll look after you.) - A pet owner to their neighbor: '麻烦你帮我
照顾一下猫，我下周回来。' (Could you please help me take care of the cat while I'm away next week?) - Someone recovering from surgery: '谢谢你每天来
照顾我。' (Thank you for coming to take care of me every day.)
When To Use It
Use 照顾 when you're actively providing care, support, or supervision. This includes:
- Looking after children or elderly family members.
- Caring for someone who is sick or injured.
- Taking responsibility for a pet's needs.
- Supervising a project or task to ensure it's done correctly.
- Offering help and support to someone in need.
- Even looking after plants or a home while someone is away. It's all about proactive care.
When NOT To Use It
You wouldn't use 照顾 for very casual or impersonal situations. For instance, you wouldn't say 'I will 照顾 this report' if you just mean 'I will handle this report.' For that, 处理 (chǔlǐ) or 负责 (fùzé) are better. Also, avoid using it for abstract concepts or things that don't require active care, like 'I will 照顾 my dreams.' That sounds odd! It's for tangible care.
Common Mistakes
A common slip-up is using 照顾 when a simpler verb like 看 (kàn - to watch/look after) or 管 (guǎn - to manage/supervise) might suffice in very casual contexts, or using it where a more specific verb is needed.
照顾这个项目。
✓我会负责这个项目。
(I will take care of this project. → I will be responsible for this project.)
✗ 谢谢你照顾我的包。
→ ✓ 谢谢你帮我看着我的包。
(Thank you for taking care of my bag. → Thank you for helping me watch my bag.)
Similar Expressions
关照(guānzhào): Often used in a more formal or business context, implying looking out for someone, especially someone junior, or giving them special attention/support. It can sound a bit like 'keeping an eye on' someone in a helpful way.照看(zhàokàn): Very similar to照顾, often interchangeable, but sometimes implies more direct supervision or watching over, like watching a child play.伺候(cìhou): This implies serving someone, often someone older or of higher status, and can carry a connotation of catering to their needs, sometimes more subserviently. It's much more specific and less common in everyday chat.
Common Variations
照顾好(zhàogù hǎo): Adding好(hǎo - well/good) emphasizes doing a good job of taking care. '请照顾好自己' (Qǐngzhàogù hǎozìjǐ) - Please take good care of yourself.照顾一下(zhàogù yīxià): Adding一下(yīxià) softens the tone, making it sound like a brief or casual request for care. '能帮我照顾一下孩子吗？' (Néng bāng wǒzhàogù yīxiàháizi ma?) - Could you help me look after the child for a moment?
Memory Trick
Picture a person named Zhao who is always guiding and looking after everyone. He's the ultimate helper! Whenever you need someone to 照顾 you, think of the helpful Zhao guiding you. Zhao Gu = 照顾.
Quick FAQ
Q. Is 照顾 formal or informal?
A. It's quite versatile, leaning towards neutral but can be used in both slightly formal and informal contexts depending on the situation and tone. It's generally safe for most everyday conversations.
Q. Can I use 照顾 for inanimate objects?
A. Yes, but only if they require active care and attention, like a plant you're watering or a car you're maintaining. You wouldn't use it for something like a book or a chair unless you were perhaps a curator. It’s about nurturing or maintaining.
Q. What's the difference between 照顾 and 保护 (bǎohù)?
A. 保护 means to protect from harm or danger, like shielding someone from rain. 照顾 is broader, encompassing general care, comfort, and well-being, not just protection from threats.
Usage Notes
`照顾` is a versatile verb indicating active care and responsibility. While neutral, avoid using it for abstract concepts or simple task management where other verbs like `处理` or `负责` are more appropriate. Adding `好` (`照顾好`) intensifies the meaning to 'take good care of,' and `一下` (`照顾一下`) softens a request.
Tone check
Both are 4th tone.
Examples
12你好好休息，我会帮你`照顾`好你的猫。
Rest well, I'll help take good care of your cat.
Here, `照顾好` emphasizes doing a thorough job of caring for the pet.
出门在外，一定要`照顾`好自己。
When you're away from home, you must take good care of yourself.
This is a common, warm send-off, using `照顾好` to wish well-being.
您认为您最大的优点是什么？我善于`照顾`团队成员的需求。
What do you consider your greatest strength? I am good at taking care of my team members' needs.
Used here to describe interpersonal skills and responsibility in a professional setting.
欢迎来到我的生活，小家伙！我会好好`照顾`你的！🐶
Welcome to my life, little one! I will take good care of you! 🐶
Expresses excitement and commitment to a new pet's well-being.
能麻烦你帮我`照顾`一下我的盆栽吗？我下周出门。
Could I trouble you to help take care of my potted plants? I'm going out of town next week.
Shows a practical application for something needing regular attention.
谢谢你的`照顾`，你真是个好人。
Thank you for your care, you are truly a good person.
Here, `照顾` is used as a noun phrase referring to the act of care provided.
✗ 我会`照顾`这个文件。 → ✓ 我会`处理`这个文件。
✗ I will take care of this document. → ✓ I will handle this document.
`照顾` implies active care and well-being, not just task management.
✗ 他在`照顾`电视。
✗ He is taking care of the TV.
You don't 'take care of' a TV unless you're cleaning or repairing it. You 'watch' it (`看` kàn).
老板，我刚来，请多`关照`。
Boss, I'm new here, please look after me / give me guidance.
Uses `关照` (guānzhào), a related term often used by newcomers asking for support.
病人情况稳定，我们会好好`照顾`他的。
The patient's condition is stable, we will take good care of him.
Professional assurance of care in a medical context.
你能帮我`照顾`一下狗狗吗？我需要去买东西。
Can you help me look after the dog for a bit? I need to go shopping.
Uses `照顾一下` to make the request sound less demanding and more casual.
我得`照顾`我这个室友，他简直像个刚出生的熊猫。
I have to take care of my roommate, he's like a newborn panda.
Humorously compares the roommate's need for care to a helpless baby animal.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank.
我妈妈生病了，我要______她。
You take care of sick people.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 照顾 (zhàogù)
Rarely used here; might sound odd.
✗ 我会照顾你玩游戏。
Common in casual talk with friends and family.
帮我照顾一下猫！
Standard usage, suitable for most everyday situations.
我会照顾好宝宝。
Used in professional or respectful contexts.
感谢您对我工作的照顾。
Less common; `关照` might be preferred.
请您多多关照。
When You Might Use 照顾 (zhàogù)
Family Care
照顾老人/孩子
Health & Wellness
照顾病人/伤口
Pet Care
照顾宠物
Projects/Tasks
照顾项目
Personal Well-being
照顾好自己
Home & Garden
照顾植物/房子
照顾 (zhàogù) vs. Similar Phrases
Scenarios for Using 照顾
Family Duty
- • Caring for elders
- • Raising children
- • Looking after siblings
Helping Others
- • Caring for sick friends
- • Assisting the elderly
- • Supporting a new colleague
Responsibility
- • Managing a project
- • Maintaining equipment
- • Nurturing a plant
Self-Care
- • Taking care of health
- • Looking after one's well-being
- • Resting properly
Practice Bank
1 exercises我妈妈生病了，我要______她。
You take care of sick people.
🎉 Score: /1
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsYes, absolutely.
Related Phrases
关照
synonymTo look after/favor
