In 15 Seconds
- The most common way to say 'Go for it!' in Chinese.
- Literally means 'add oil' or 'step on the gas'.
- Used for sports, exams, work, and personal struggles.
Meaning
It is the ultimate Chinese cheer. It means 'Go for it!', 'Good luck!', or 'Don't give up!' depending on the situation.
Key Examples
3 of 6Cheering for a friend in a race
加油！快到终点了！
Go for it! You're almost at the finish line!
Encouraging a colleague before a meeting
今天的会议很重要，加油！
Today's meeting is important, keep it up!
Texting a friend studying for exams
考试加油！你一定可以的。
Good luck on your exams! You can definitely do it.
Cultural Background
The phrase gained global fame during the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a chant for athletes. It reflects a cultural value of 'chīkǔ' (enduring hardship) with a positive, energetic attitude. It is so iconic that 'Add oil!' was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2018.
The Double Tap
Saying it twice (`jiāyóu jiāyóu!`) makes you sound much more enthusiastic and natural in casual settings.
The 'Add Oil' OED Entry
The literal translation 'Add oil' is actually recognized as a valid English phrase in the Oxford English Dictionary due to its popularity in Hong Kong!
In 15 Seconds
- The most common way to say 'Go for it!' in Chinese.
- Literally means 'add oil' or 'step on the gas'.
- Used for sports, exams, work, and personal struggles.
What It Means
Jiāyóu is the Swiss Army knife of encouragement. Literally, it means to put more gas in a car. Think of it as giving someone the fuel they need. It is high-energy, positive, and incredibly common. You will hear it at sports games and in offices alike.
How To Use It
You can shout it as a standalone cheer. You can also add it to the end of a sentence. It works as a verb or an exclamation. If a friend is studying late, just text them jiāyóu. It is short, punchy, and always appreciated. It is like a verbal high-five.
When To Use It
Use it when someone is facing a challenge. Use it at a marathon to cheer on runners. Use it when your coworker has a big presentation. It is perfect for texting a friend who feels down. Even at a dinner party, you can use it to encourage someone to finish a difficult task. It is the go-to phrase for any 'you can do it' moment.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it in very somber situations. If someone is grieving, it might sound too upbeat or dismissive. Avoid using it with high-ranking officials in a stiff, formal setting. It is a bit too energetic for a funeral or a serious apology. Also, don't say it to someone who is clearly finished with a task. It is for the process, not the result.
Cultural Background
This phrase likely started in the racing world. Drivers needed more 'oil' (fuel) to go faster. It exploded in popularity during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Now, it is a symbol of national spirit and personal grit. It even made it into the Oxford English Dictionary as 'add oil'. It represents the 'can-do' attitude of modern Chinese culture.
Common Variations
You can repeat it for extra emphasis: jiāyóu, jiāyóu!. For a group, say dàjiā jiāyóu (everyone, keep it up). If you want to be cute, some people say jiāyóu dā to sound more endearing. In Hong Kong, you might hear the Cantonese version, but the meaning stays the same. It is the universal language of support.
Usage Notes
While generally informal, it is acceptable in most social settings. Just ensure the tone matches the gravity of the situation—keep it energetic for sports and gentle for personal support.
The Double Tap
Saying it twice (`jiāyóu jiāyóu!`) makes you sound much more enthusiastic and natural in casual settings.
The 'Add Oil' OED Entry
The literal translation 'Add oil' is actually recognized as a valid English phrase in the Oxford English Dictionary due to its popularity in Hong Kong!
Not for Mourning
Avoid using this if someone has just experienced a major tragedy; it can come across as 'just get over it' if the timing is wrong.
Examples
6加油！快到终点了！
Go for it! You're almost at the finish line!
Classic use as a high-energy cheer.
今天的会议很重要，加油！
Today's meeting is important, keep it up!
Professional but supportive.
考试加油！你一定可以的。
Good luck on your exams! You can definitely do it.
Commonly used in text messages with emojis.
大家加油，我们快完成这个项目了。
Keep it up everyone, we are almost done with this project.
Used to boost group morale.
为了我的奶茶，我要加油工作！
For the sake of my milk tea, I must work hard!
Using the phrase to find motivation in small rewards.
别难过了，加油，一切都会好起来的。
Don't be sad, hang in there, everything will get better.
Used here to provide emotional strength.
Test Yourself
Choose the best phrase to encourage your friend who is running a marathon.
快点！___！
`Jiāyóu` is the standard cheer for athletes and physical effort.
How would you tell a group of people to keep up the good work?
大家 ___！
Adding `dàjiā` (everyone) before `jiāyóu` directs the encouragement to the whole group.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
From Casual to Formal Support
Texting a best friend with lots of emojis.
加油鸭！ (Jiāyóu yā!)
Cheering at a sports event or helping a classmate.
加油！ (Jiāyóu!)
A manager encouraging a team in a speech.
希望大家共同加油。 (Xīwàng dàjiā gòngtóng jiāyóu.)
Where to 'Add Oil'
Sports Stadium
Chanting for your team
Office Space
Before a big deadline
Library
Studying for finals
Hospital
Wishing someone a recovery
Practice Bank
2 exercises快点！___！
`Jiāyóu` is the standard cheer for athletes and physical effort.
大家 ___！
Adding `dàjiā` (everyone) before `jiāyóu` directs the encouragement to the whole group.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but keep it professional. You might say wǒmen yīqǐ jiāyóu (let's work hard together) rather than just shouting it at them.
Not at all! It is used for exams, work, health struggles, and even just getting through a long Monday.
The most common reply is xièxiè (thank you) or wǒ huì de (I will).
It literally means 'add oil' (jiā = add, yóu = oil/gas), like putting fuel in an engine to keep it running.
Yes! Young people often say jiāyóu dā or jiāyóu yā to sound more 'kawaii' or friendly.
Yes, it's a common way to tell someone to 'stay strong' or 'get well soon' in a supportive way.
Rarely. It is mostly a spoken expression or used in casual digital communication like WeChat.
No, people of all ages use it. It is a very standard part of the Chinese lexicon.
In Cantonese, it is 'Ga yau', which is where the English literal translation 'Add oil' originally gained traction.
Absolutely! You can say wǒ yào jiāyóu (I need to work hard/keep it up) to motivate yourself.
Related Phrases
挺住
Hang in there / Hold on
努力
To make an effort / Work hard
万岁
Long live... / Hurrah
必胜
Certain victory
