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B1 noun/verb #3,000 most common 12 min read

援助

yuanzhu Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 援助 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 援助 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 援助 often. It's a very formal word. Instead, you should focus on the word 帮助 (bāngzhù), which means 'to help'. You might see 援助 in a simple news headline or a sign at a legal office, but you shouldn't worry about using it in your daily conversations. Just remember that if you see this word, it means someone is giving big help, like money or food, to people who really need it. For example, if a country has a big earthquake, other countries send 援助. It's like a 'super help' for big problems. At this stage, just recognize the characters: 援 (yuán) and 助 (zhù). You already know 助 from 帮助, so you are halfway there! Think of 援助 as the 'official' way to say help. If you are talking to your teacher or a friend, always use 帮助. If you are reading a formal book or watching the news, you will see 援助. It's a good word to know so you can understand what's happening in the world, but don't feel pressured to speak it yet. Focus on building your foundation with simpler words first. When you see 援, think of a hand reaching out to pull someone up. That is the core meaning of the word.

At the A2 level, you can start to distinguish between different types of help. You might encounter 援助 in reading materials about social issues or international news. While 帮助 is still your primary word for helping friends or family, 援助 is the word you use when talking about organizations or governments. For instance, you might learn about 'Red Cross aid' or 'government assistance'. At this level, you should understand that 援助 is a noun and a verb. As a noun, it often appears with words like 'give' (给) or 'provide' (提供). As a verb, it looks like 'Country A 援助 Country B'. You might also see it in the context of 'Legal Aid' (法律援助) if you are learning about city services. Try to notice how it's used in short news articles. It's a formal word, so using it correctly will make your Chinese sound more advanced. However, be careful! Don't use it for small things like 'aiding' someone with their homework. That would sound too serious. Keep 援助 for big, important situations like disaster relief or financial support for the poor. By learning this word now, you are preparing yourself for more complex topics in the future. It's a bridge to more formal and professional Chinese communication.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 援助 in appropriate contexts, especially in writing. You are now moving beyond daily survival Chinese and into more descriptive and formal language. You should understand that 援助 is the standard term for humanitarian, economic, and legal assistance. You can use it in sentences like '政府向灾区提供了大量的援助' (The government provided a large amount of aid to the disaster area). You should also be familiar with common collocations like 经济援助 (economic aid), 医疗援助 (medical aid), and 技术援助 (technical assistance). At this level, you can start to use 援助 to discuss social topics, such as how to help the poor or how countries should cooperate. You should also understand the difference between 援助 and 帮助. 帮助 is general and informal, while 援助 is specific and formal. Using 援助 correctly in an essay about social responsibility or international relations will significantly improve your score. You should also recognize the pattern '在...的援助下' (with the help of...), which is a very useful way to describe how someone or something was successful because of external support. This level is about refining your word choice to match the formality of the situation.

At the B2 level, you are expected to have a firm grasp of 援助 and its nuances. You should be able to use it fluently in both speaking and writing when discussing complex topics like global politics, economics, and law. You should understand the institutional nature of the word—it's not just 'help', it's 'provision of resources'. You should be able to discuss the pros and cons of 'foreign aid' (对外援助) and understand the political implications of such support. At this level, you should also be familiar with related terms like 支援 (zhīyuán) and 协助 (xiézhù) and know exactly when to choose 援助 over them. For example, you would use 援助 for a financial bailout but 支援 for sending extra staff to a busy hospital. You should also be able to understand 援助 in more abstract contexts, such as 'mutual aid' (相互援助) in a strategic sense. Your vocabulary should include fixed phrases like '无偿援助' (gratuitous assistance) and '人道主义援助' (humanitarian aid). You should also be able to read and understand official reports or news articles that use 援助 in a technical way. At B2, your goal is to use this word with the same precision as a native speaker in a professional or academic setting.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 援助 should be deep and multifaceted. You should be aware of its historical connotations, such as its use in describing past military and economic alliances. You should be able to use the word in high-level academic writing, discussing the efficacy of international aid frameworks or the legal nuances of pro bono assistance. At this level, you should also be sensitive to the power dynamics implied by 援助—the relationship between the 'aider' and the 'aided'. You can use the word to critique social structures or to propose complex policy solutions. You should be able to understand and use 援助 in metaphorical ways, or within sophisticated idioms and formal four-character expressions (though 援助 itself is not an idiom, it often appears in formal contexts alongside them). You should also be able to distinguish between 援助 and more specialized terms like 赈灾 (zhènzāi - disaster relief) or 扶贫 (fúpín - poverty alleviation). Your use of the word should reflect a high level of cultural and political literacy. Whether you are analyzing a government white paper on foreign policy or debating the ethics of global wealth redistribution, 援助 will be a key term in your lexicon.

At the C2 level, you have mastered 援助 in all its complexity. You can use it with total precision in any context, from the most formal diplomatic negotiations to high-level philosophical discourse. You understand the subtle shifts in meaning that occur when 援助 is used in different historical periods or by different political actors. You can analyze the rhetoric of 'aid' in international relations, identifying how 援助 is used to project soft power or to build strategic influence. You are also capable of using the word in creative and literary ways, perhaps in a speech or a formal essay, to evoke a sense of global solidarity or moral imperative. At this stage, 援助 is not just a vocabulary word; it is a conceptual tool that you use to navigate and describe the world's most pressing challenges. You can move effortlessly between technical, legal, and humanitarian uses of the term, and you are fully aware of the international standards and treaties that govern the provision of 援助. Your mastery is such that you can even provide nuanced explanations of the word to others, highlighting the fine lines between aid, support, and intervention. You are a truly proficient user of the language, capable of expressing the most complex ideas with clarity and authority.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

援助 in 30 Seconds

援助 is a formal term for 'aid' or 'assistance', typically involving money, food, or professional services.
It is commonly used in news, government contexts, and for international or legal support programs.
Unlike the common word 帮助, 援助 implies a structured, institutional, or large-scale effort to help.
It works as both a verb (to aid) and a noun (aid/assistance) in formal Chinese.

The Chinese word 援助 (yuánzhù) is a sophisticated term that bridges the gap between simple assistance and formal, organized support. While basic words like 帮助 (bāngzhù) cover everyday favors, 援助 carries a weight of formality, often implying a systematic effort to provide resources, expertise, or relief to those in significant need. It functions seamlessly as both a noun and a verb, making it indispensable for discussing international relations, legal systems, and humanitarian efforts. When you use 援助, you are not just talking about helping a friend carry groceries; you are talking about a structured intervention designed to alleviate a crisis or support a major endeavor.

Formal Context: The term is most frequently encountered in news reports regarding international aid, where countries provide 'economic assistance' (经济援助) or 'medical aid' (医疗援助) to regions affected by disaster or poverty. It signals a level of institutional involvement.

联合国向灾区提供了紧急援助。 (The United Nations provided emergency aid to the disaster area.)

In a legal sense, 援助 is the standard term for 'Legal Aid' (法律援助). This refers to the professional services provided to individuals who cannot afford legal representation. Here, the word emphasizes the right to support and the professional nature of the help given. It is not merely a suggestion of help but a formal provision of service. Furthermore, in military or strategic contexts, 援助 describes the reinforcement or logistical support provided by an ally. It implies a strategic partnership where one party bolsters the other's capabilities.

Humanitarian Scope: It specifically targets the alleviation of suffering. Whether it is 'food aid' (粮食援助) or 'disaster relief assistance' (赈灾援助), the word focuses on the essential resources required for survival and recovery.

许多志愿者前往灾区提供医疗援助。 (Many volunteers went to the disaster area to provide medical assistance.)

The word is composed of two characters: 援 (yuán), which means to pull up, lead, or quote (as in giving support), and 助 (zhù), which means to help or assist. Together, they create a sense of 'lifting up' someone through assistance. This etymological nuance is important because it suggests that 援助 is often directed from a position of relative strength or resource abundance toward a party in a state of vulnerability. This power dynamic is subtle but present in almost all formal usages of the word.

Institutional Usage: Governmental bodies and NGOs use this word in official documents and policy statements to describe budgetary allocations for foreign or domestic support programs.

政府承诺增加对贫困地区的教育援助。 (The government promised to increase educational aid to impoverished areas.)

In modern professional Chinese, 援助 is also used in technical support contexts, though less frequently than 技术支持 (jìshù zhīchí). However, when a company provides a 'rescue' or 'bailout' package to another, 援助 is the preferred term to describe the financial lifeline. It conveys a sense of salvation and critical intervention that 'help' (帮助) simply lacks. Understanding this word allows a learner to navigate professional, political, and social discussions with a higher level of precision and cultural awareness.

国际社会应当加强对发展中国家的技术援助。 (The international community should strengthen technical assistance to developing countries.)

这家银行为陷入困境的企业提供了财务援助。 (This bank provided financial assistance to the struggling enterprise.)

Using 援助 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility and its specific collocations. As a verb, it usually takes a direct object—the person or entity being helped. As a noun, it often follows verbs like 提供 (tígòng - to provide), 接受 (jiēshòu - to accept), or 申请 (shēnqǐng - to apply for). The structure 'A 援助 B' is the standard way to express 'A assists B'. Because of its formal tone, it is rarely used with small, personal objects unless the situation is dire.

Verb Usage: Providing Active Support: When used as a verb, 援助 implies an active, often long-term or significant effort to help. Example: '我们要援助那些受灾的百姓' (We must aid those people affected by the disaster).

中国政府决定向该国援助一批抗疫物资。 (The Chinese government decided to aid the country with a batch of anti-epidemic materials.)

As a noun, 援助 is frequently modified by adjectives that specify the type of help. This is where you see phrases like '经济援助' (economic aid), '人道主义援助' (humanitarian aid), and '法律援助' (legal aid). In these cases, the word functions as the head of the noun phrase. It is common to see it in the pattern '提供 + [Type] + 援助'. This structure is the backbone of formal reporting and official communication regarding support programs.

Noun Usage: Receiving and Requesting: The recipient of aid '接受' (accepts) or '得到' (receives) 援助. If someone is in need, they might '寻求' (seek) or '呼吁' (call for) 援助. Example: '他们正在向国际社会寻求援助' (They are seeking aid from the international community).

如果你没有钱请律师，你可以申请法律援助。 (If you don't have money to hire a lawyer, you can apply for legal aid.)

Another important pattern is '在...的援助下' (with the assistance of...). This is used to attribute success or survival to the help received from a specific party. For instance, '在邻国的援助下，他们渡过了难关' (With the assistance of neighboring countries, they overcame the difficulty). This construction highlights the instrumental role the aid played in achieving a positive outcome.

The 'Help' Spectrum: Think of 援助 as the top-tier 'help'. Below it is 支援 (zhīyuán - support/reinforce) and 帮助 (bāngzhù - general help). 援助 is the term you choose when the stakes are high and the organization is formal.

该项目得到了世界银行的资金援助。 (The project received financial assistance from the World Bank.)

In summary, when constructing sentences with 援助, always consider the level of formality. If you are writing an essay, a formal letter, or discussing world events, 援助 is your primary tool. It allows you to specify the nature of the aid (financial, legal, medical) and the direction of the flow (providing, receiving, seeking) with academic and professional precision.

我们需要更多的国际援助来重建这座城市。 (We need more international aid to rebuild this city.)

他们为无家可归的人提供食物和医疗援助。 (They provide food and medical assistance to homeless people.)

You will encounter 援助 in several key domains of modern Chinese life. The most common is the evening news (新闻联播) and official government briefings. Whenever China or another nation sends supplies to a disaster-stricken area, the term 援助 is used to describe the act. It sounds authoritative and philanthropic. If you listen to podcasts about international politics or read newspapers like the People's Daily, this word will appear in almost every article concerning foreign policy or global cooperation.

The Legal System: In China, 'Legal Aid' centers (法律援助中心) are common in cities. These centers provide free legal services to the public. You will see signs for these in administrative buildings or near courts.

请问这里提供免费的法律援助吗？ (Excuse me, do you provide free legal aid here?)

Another frequent context is in the work of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Organizations like the Red Cross (红十字会) or Doctors Without Borders (无国界医生) describe their missions using 援助. In this context, it carries a humanitarian and ethical connotation, emphasizing the selfless nature of the work. You will hear it in fundraising campaigns and promotional videos where the goal is to highlight the positive impact of donor contributions on vulnerable populations.

Academic and Economic Discourse: In economics, 援助 refers to the transfer of capital or technology between nations. Scholars discuss the effectiveness of 'foreign aid' (对外援助) and its impact on the development of recipient nations.

他是作为援助教师去西藏工作的。 (He went to work in Tibet as an aid-providing teacher.)

In television dramas, particularly those focusing on medical or legal professionals, characters often grapple with the ethics and challenges of providing 援助. A doctor might decide to join an international medical aid team, or a lawyer might take on a pro bono case through a legal aid program. In these narratives, the word serves as a marker of the character's altruism and professional commitment. It elevates the help from a personal favor to a vocational duty.

Global Crisis Reporting: During pandemics or natural disasters, the global flow of 援助 becomes a central theme in news cycles, highlighting the interconnectedness of the modern world.

这种跨国援助体现了人类命运共同体的精神。 (This transnational aid embodies the spirit of a community with a shared future for mankind.)

Finally, you might hear it in historical documentaries. The 'Assistance to Korea' (援朝) during the 1950s is a major historical event in Chinese consciousness. This historical usage anchors the word in the collective memory as something associated with national sacrifice and strategic alliance. Whether in the past or present, 援助 remains a word that describes significant, organized, and impactful support.

历史证明，及时的援助可以改变战争的走向。 (History proves that timely aid can change the course of a war.)

我们需要建立一个更有效的国际援助体系。 (We need to establish a more effective international aid system.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is using 援助 in place of the more common word 帮助 (bāngzhù). While both mean 'to help,' they are not interchangeable in casual conversation. If you ask a friend, '你能援助我搬家吗？' (Can you aid me in moving?), it sounds oddly formal and bureaucratic, as if you are requesting a government grant to move your sofa. In daily life, 帮助 is almost always the correct choice for personal favors.

Over-Formality: Learners often use 援助 when the help is minor. Remember: 援助 is for 'aid' or 'assistance' on a large scale. Using it for small things can make you sound like a news anchor in a coffee shop.

错误：谢谢你的援助，我找到钥匙了。 (Incorrect: Thanks for the aid, I found my keys.)
正确：谢谢你的帮助，我找到钥匙了。

Another mistake involves confusing 援助 with 支援 (zhīyuán). While they are close synonyms, 支援 often implies sending reinforcements or supporting a front-line effort, particularly in military, medical, or emergency contexts. 援助 is broader and focuses more on the provision of resources (money, food, law) to those in need. For example, you '支援' an army at the front, but you '援助' a country with a loan.

Misunderstanding the Recipient: 援助 usually flows from a stronger entity to a weaker one (e.g., government to citizen, rich nation to poor nation). Using it to describe a student helping a teacher might feel culturally slightly 'off' because of this implied power dynamic.

这些物资是用来援助贫困学生的。 (These materials are used to aid impoverished students.)

Grammatically, some learners treat 援助 as a separable verb (like 帮忙), which it is not. You cannot say '援一个助'. It must be treated as a standard transitive verb or a noun. Furthermore, some learners forget to include the specific type of aid when it is necessary for clarity. Saying '政府提供了援助' is fine, but in a professional report, it is better to specify: '政府提供了经济援助'.

Confusion with 救助 (jiùzhù): 救助 implies a 'rescue' from immediate danger or life-threatening poverty. 援助 is broader and can include long-term development assistance that isn't necessarily a life-or-death rescue.

我们需要区分紧急救助和长期援助。 (We need to distinguish between emergency rescue and long-term aid.)

Finally, ensure you don't confuse the pronunciation of 援 (yuán) with words like 远 (yuǎn - far) or 元 (yuán - currency). While the pinyin might look similar, the context of 'assistance' usually makes it clear. However, in writing, the character 援 is distinct and should be practiced to avoid confusing it with 媛 (yuàn - a lady) or 缓 (huǎn - slow).

国际援助不应该带有任何政治条件。 (International aid should not come with any political conditions.)

志愿者们正在为难民提供人道主义援助。 (Volunteers are providing humanitarian aid to refugees.)

To truly master 援助, you must understand its place within a family of words related to 'help' and 'support'. Choosing the right word depends on the context, the scale of help, and the relationship between the parties involved. Below is a comparison of 援助 with its most common alternatives.

援助 (yuánzhù) vs. 帮助 (bāngzhù): 援助: Formal, large-scale, often involves resources or professional services (e.g., international aid, legal aid).
帮助: General, used for both small personal favors and larger support. It is the most common word for 'help'.

援助 (yuánzhù) vs. 支援 (zhīyuán): 援助: Focuses on the act of giving aid to those in need.
支援: Focuses on providing reinforcements, manpower, or technical support to a specific effort or 'front line' (e.g., 支援前线 - supporting the front line).

医生们被派往灾区支援当地的医疗工作。 (Doctors were sent to the disaster area to support local medical work.)

Another related word is 协助 (xiézhù). This word means 'to assist' or 'to cooperate in helping'. It implies that the primary party is already doing something, and the second party is helping them complete it. It is very common in professional settings where two departments or people work together on a task. For example, '协助调查' (assisting in an investigation).

援助 (yuánzhù) vs. 协助 (xiézhù): 援助: Often implies a one-way flow of resources to someone in need.
协助: Implies a collaborative effort where one party assists another in their existing work.

For situations involving extreme hardship or survival, 救助 (jiùzhù) is the preferred term. This word combines 'rescue' (救) and 'help' (助). It is used for disaster relief, helping the homeless, or saving someone from a dangerous situation. While 援助 can be used for long-term economic development, 救助 is almost always about immediate survival and basic needs.

援助 (yuánzhù) vs. 救助 (jiùzhù): 援助: Broad, includes financial, technical, and legal aid.
救助: Specific to relief and rescue efforts for those in dire straits.

政府设立了流浪人员救助站。 (The government established rescue stations for homeless people.)

In very formal or literary contexts, you might see 扶助 (fúzhù). This word means to 'prop up' or 'sustain'. It is often used in terms like '扶助弱小' (assisting the weak and small). It carries a sense of moral duty and protective care. Finally, 赞助 (zànzhù) means 'to sponsor'. This is the word you use when a company gives money to an event or a sports team in exchange for advertising or as a patron.

援助 (yuánzhù) vs. 赞助 (zànzhù): 援助: Altruistic help for those in need.
赞助: Commercial or philanthropic sponsorship, often with a promotional element.

这次活动得到了多家企业的慷慨赞助。 (This event received generous sponsorship from several companies.)

我们需要集合所有力量来援助那些受苦的人。 (We need to gather all forces to aid those who are suffering.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 援 (yuán) is also used in the word for '援军' (yuánjūn), which means 'reinforcements' in a battle. It literally means 'the army that comes to pull you out of trouble'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK yuán zhù

US yuán zhù

The stress is equal on both syllables, but the fourth tone on 'zhù' gives it a sharp, final emphasis.

Rhymes With

船 (chuán) 圆 (yuán) 全 (quán) 步 (bù) 路 (lù) 树 (shù) 住 (zhù) 付 (fù)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'yuan' as 'yan'.
Using the third tone for 'zhù' (zhǔ) instead of the fourth tone.
Mispronouncing the 'u' in 'yuán' as a standard English 'u' instead of the rounded 'ü' sound.
Confusing 'yuán' with 'yún' (cloud).
Failing to curl the tongue for the 'zh' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in formal texts once the characters are learned.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of formal collocations and correct stroke order for '援'.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but choosing the right context (formal vs informal) is key.

Listening 3/5

Frequently heard in news broadcasts, so it's easy to pick up.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

帮助提供接受政府资源

Learn Next

支援协助救助资助扶贫

Advanced

人道主义法律体系外交政策赈灾物资战略伙伴

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verb Usage

中国援助非洲国家建设铁路。

Noun following '提供'

联合国提供了大量的人道主义援助。

Prepositional Phrase with '对'

政府对受灾地区的援助非常及时。

Fixed Phrase '在...的援助下'

他在法律援助的帮助下打赢了官司。

Adjective Modifiers

这是一项长期的技术援助计划。

Examples by Level

医生给他们援助。

The doctor gives them aid.

Simple Subject-Verb-Object-Object structure.

我们需要援助。

We need aid.

援助 as a direct object.

他提供了援助。

He provided assistance.

Using 提供 (provide) with 援助.

这是医疗援助。

This is medical aid.

援助 modified by an adjective.

他们接受援助。

They accept aid.

Using 接受 (accept) with 援助.

朋友互相援助。

Friends assist each other.

援助 as a verb meaning mutual assistance.

政府给予援助。

The government gives aid.

给予 is a formal way to say 'give'.

谢谢你的援助。

Thank you for your assistance.

Polite expression using 援助.

那个国家需要经济援助。

That country needs economic aid.

经济援助 is a common noun phrase.

红十字会提供了很多援助。

The Red Cross provided a lot of aid.

Subject is an organization.

你可以申请法律援助吗？

Can you apply for legal aid?

申请 (apply for) is a key verb for aid.

志愿者们去那里援助。

The volunteers went there to assist.

援助 as an intransitive verb of purpose.

这里的援助是免费的。

The assistance here is free.

援助 used as a noun subject.

他们得到了粮食援助。

They received food aid.

得到 (receive) + noun phrase.

我们应该援助贫困地区。

We should aid impoverished areas.

援助 as a transitive verb.

这次援助非常及时。

This aid was very timely.

及时 (timely) is a common adjective for aid.

政府决定增加对教育的援助。

The government decided to increase aid to education.

对...的援助 (aid towards...).

在国际社会的援助下，灾区开始了重建。

With the aid of the international community, the disaster area began reconstruction.

在...的援助下 (with the aid of...).

他通过法律援助中心找到了律师。

He found a lawyer through the legal aid center.

Compound noun: 法律援助中心.

这种援助不仅是金钱上的，也是技术上的。

This aid is not only financial but also technical.

Not only... but also... structure.

我们呼吁全球提供更多的人道主义援助。

We call for more humanitarian aid globally.

呼吁 (call for) is a formal verb.

许多专家前往该国提供技术援助。

Many experts went to the country to provide technical assistance.

Technical assistance is a specific type of 援助.

他一直致力于援助失学儿童。

He has always been committed to aiding children who have dropped out of school.

致力于 (committed to) + verb-object.

这项政策旨在为小企业提供援助。

This policy aims to provide assistance to small businesses.

旨在 (aims to) + provide aid.

对外援助是该国转型战略的重要组成部分。

Foreign aid is an important part of the country's transformation strategy.

对外援助 (foreign aid) as a subject.

该协议规定了双方在紧急情况下的相互援助。

The agreement stipulates mutual assistance between the two parties in emergencies.

相互援助 (mutual assistance).

由于缺乏有效的监管，部分援助物资被浪费了。

Due to a lack of effective supervision, some aid materials were wasted.

Complex sentence with cause and effect.

这种长期的经济援助有助于该地区的稳定。

This long-term economic aid contributes to the stability of the region.

有助于 (contributes to) + noun.

他们正在就援助计划的细节进行谈判。

They are negotiating the details of the aid plan.

就...进行谈判 (negotiate about...).

法律援助制度保障了贫困人口的合法权益。

The legal aid system protects the legal rights and interests of the poor.

制度 (system) as a modifier.

该组织致力于为战争受害者提供心理援助。

The organization is dedicated to providing psychological assistance to war victims.

Psychological aid (心理援助).

国际援助的效率一直是学术界讨论的热点。

The efficiency of international aid has always been a hot topic in academia.

Efficiency (效率) of aid.

援助的政治化往往会削弱其人道主义初衷。

The politicization of aid often undermines its humanitarian intentions.

Abstract noun (politicization) as subject.

在后殖民背景下，对外援助有时被视为一种软实力的工具。

In a post-colonial context, foreign aid is sometimes viewed as a tool of soft power.

Passive structure with 被视为 (viewed as).

该国通过提供无偿援助，在外交上赢得了广泛支持。

By providing grant aid, the country won broad diplomatic support.

无偿援助 (grant/gratuitous aid).

有效的援助应当建立在受援国实际需求的基础之上。

Effective aid should be built on the actual needs of the recipient country.

受援国 (recipient country) is a formal term.

法律援助的普及程度是衡量一个社会法治水平的重要指标。

The prevalence of legal aid is an important indicator for measuring a society's rule of law.

Complex sociological analysis.

紧急医疗援助小组在震后几小时内便抵达了现场。

The emergency medical aid team arrived at the scene within hours after the earthquake.

Precise time and action description.

这种跨国援助体现了人类命运共同体的高尚理念。

This transnational aid embodies the noble concept of a community with a shared future for mankind.

High-level political rhetoric.

我们需要重新审视现有的国际援助框架以应对气候变化。

We need to re-examine the existing international aid framework to address climate change.

审视 (examine/scrutinize) + framework.

援助不仅是资源的转移，更是治理经验与发展模式的交流。

Aid is not just a transfer of resources, but an exchange of governance experience and development models.

Philosophical definition of aid.

在全球化深入发展的今天，任何国家都难以在缺乏国际援助的情况下独善其身。

In today's deeply developing globalization, it is difficult for any country to remain unaffected without international aid.

Advanced idiom 独善其身 (maintain one's integrity/stay isolated).

该白皮书详尽阐述了中国在对外援助方面的基本原则与立场。

The white paper elaborates in detail on China's basic principles and positions regarding foreign aid.

Official administrative terminology.

援助与发展的辩证关系一直是国际发展伦理研究的核心课题。

The dialectical relationship between aid and development has always been a core topic in international development ethics research.

Academic terms like 辩证 (dialectical) and 伦理 (ethics).

我们需要警惕那种以援助为名行干涉之实的霸权主义行为。

We must be wary of hegemonic behavior that interferes in the name of aid.

Strong political critique.

法律援助应当作为一项基本人权得到宪法层面的确认与保障。

Legal aid should be confirmed and guaranteed at the constitutional level as a basic human right.

Constitutional law discourse.

这种多边援助机制有效地整合了各方的资源，实现了效益最大化。

This multilateral aid mechanism effectively integrated resources from all parties, maximizing benefits.

Economic optimization terminology.

在历史的长河中，及时的相互援助往往能铸就深厚的两国友谊。

In the long course of history, timely mutual aid can often forge deep friendships between two countries.

Poetic and formal historical reflection.

Synonyms

帮助支援扶助协助

Antonyms

阻碍打击

Common Collocations

提供援助

经济援助

法律援助

人道主义援助

医疗援助

寻求援助

接受援助

技术援助

无偿援助

紧急援助

Common Phrases

对外援助

— Foreign aid. Refers to aid given by one country to another.

中国的对外援助不断增加。

法律援助中心

— Legal aid center. A place where people can get free legal help.

你可以去法律援助中心咨询。

人道主义援助

— Humanitarian aid. Help given to save lives and alleviate suffering.

车队运送人道主义援助物资。

相互援助

— Mutual assistance. Helping each other.

两国签署了相互援助条约。

军事援助

— Military aid. Help given in the form of weapons or training.

该国收到了大量的军事援助。

财务援助

— Financial assistance. Money given to help a person or organization.

学生可以申请财务援助。

心理援助

— Psychological assistance. Counseling or mental health support.

灾后心理援助非常重要。

物资援助

— Material aid. Help in the form of physical goods.

我们提供了帐篷等物资援助。

国际援助

— International aid. Aid provided by international organizations or groups of countries.

国际援助对重建至关重要。

紧急援助

— Emergency aid. Rapid assistance provided immediately after a disaster.

紧急援助小组已经出发。

Often Confused With

援助 vs 帮助

帮助 is for general help; 援助 is for formal, resource-based aid.

援助 vs 支援

支援 is often about reinforcements or supporting a front-line effort.

援助 vs 救助

救助 is specifically for rescue and relief in dire, life-threatening situations.

Idioms & Expressions

"援之以手"

— To lend a hand. To help someone in trouble.

看到别人有困难，我们应该援之以手。

Literary

"孤立无援"

— Isolated and without help. To be completely alone in a struggle.

他在这个项目中感到孤立无援。

Common

"见义勇为"

— To act bravely for a just cause. Often involves helping someone in danger.

他见义勇为，援助了落水的小孩。

Common

"雪中送炭"

— To send charcoal in the snow. To provide timely help in a crisis.

你的援助真是雪中送炭。

Common

"拔刀相助"

— To draw a sword to help. To step in and help someone in a conflict.

路见不平，拔刀相助。

Literary/Wuxia

"守望相助"

— To keep watch and help each other. Mutual defense and assistance among neighbors.

邻里之间应当守望相助。

Formal

"同舟共济"

— To cross the river in the same boat. To help each other through difficulties.

在危机时刻，我们必须同舟共济。

Common

"鼎力相助"

— To give one's utmost help. A very formal way to thank someone for big help.

多谢您的鼎力相助。

Very Formal

"倾力相助"

— To help with all one's strength.

朋友们纷纷倾力相助。

Formal

"救苦救难"

— To save people from bitterness and hardship. Often used in religious or heroic contexts.

他被视为救苦救难的英雄。

Literary

Easily Confused

援助 vs 帮助

Both mean 'help'.

帮助 is general and informal; 援助 is formal and institutional, usually involving resources.

你能帮助我吗？ (Can you help me? - General) vs. 联合国提供援助。 (UN provides aid. - Formal)

援助 vs 支援

Both imply support.

支援 focuses on reinforcing an effort (like an army or a project); 援助 focuses on providing aid to someone in need.

支援前线 (Reinforce the front line) vs. 援助灾民 (Aid disaster victims).

援助 vs 协助

Both mean assist.

协助 implies working together as a secondary helper; 援助 implies a one-way provision of help to someone in distress.

协助调查 (Assist in an investigation) vs. 法律援助 (Legal aid).

援助 vs 资助

Both can involve money.

资助 is strictly financial; 援助 is broader and can include food, medicine, or legal services.

资助贫困生 (Fund poor students) vs. 医疗援助 (Medical aid).

援助 vs 救助

Both are used in disasters.

救助 is about immediate rescue from danger; 援助 can be long-term developmental support.

救助溺水者 (Rescue a drowning person) vs. 经济援助 (Economic aid).

Sentence Patterns

A 给 B 援助。

政府给灾民援助。

A 提供 [Type] 援助。

红十字会提供医疗援助。

在 A 的援助下，B [Result]。

在国际社会的援助下，灾区开始了重建。

A 致力于援助 B。

该组织致力于援助失学儿童。

[Noun] 的援助是 [Measure] 的指标。

法律援助的普及程度是衡量社会法治水平的指标。

援助不仅是... 更是...。

援助不仅是资源的转移，更是治理经验的交流。

A 向 B 寻求援助。

他们向邻国寻求经济援助。

A 呼吁 B 提供援助。

联合国呼吁全球提供人道主义援助。

Word Family

Nouns

援助者 (yuánzhùzhě) - aider/benefactor

受援者 (shòuyuánzhě) - recipient of aid

受援国 (shòuyuánguó) - recipient country

Verbs

援引 (yuányǐn) - to cite/quote

援救 (yuánjiù) - to rescue

支援 (zhīyuán) - to support/reinforce

Adjectives

援助性的 (yuánzhùxìng de) - assistant/aid-related

帮助

救助

协助

资助

赞助

How to Use It

frequency

Common in formal writing, news, and professional settings; rare in casual daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Asking a friend: 你能援助我吗？ → 你能帮助我吗？
援助 is too formal for personal favors. It sounds like you're asking for a government grant.
Using '法律帮助' for legal aid. → 法律援助
Legal aid is a fixed term. '帮助' sounds unrefined in this professional context.
Writing '援一个助'. → 提供一次援助
援助 is not a separable verb (离合词). You cannot split it like '帮忙' (帮个忙).
Confusing 援助 with 支援 in military contexts. → 支援前线
支援 is for reinforcements; 援助 is for aid to victims or allies. You 'support' the front line, not 'aid' it.
Mispronouncing 'yuán' as 'yuǎn'. → yuán (2nd tone)
The 3rd tone 'yuǎn' means 'far'. This can lead to confusion in spoken Chinese.

Tips

Verb-Object Pattern

Remember that 援助 is a transitive verb. You can say '援助受灾地区' (aid the disaster area) directly.

Pair with '提供'

In 90% of formal writing, 援助 follows the verb 提供 (tígòng - to provide).

International Relations

This is a key word for HSK 5/6 and B2/C1 levels when discussing world news.

Formal Tone

Use 援助 in essays to make your writing sound more professional and academic.

Legal Aid

Always use 法律援助 when talking about free legal services provided by the state.

援助 vs. 救助

Use 救助 for 'rescue' and 援助 for 'aid'. Rescue is for immediate danger; aid is for general need.

Humanitarian Aid

Memorize the phrase '人道主义援助' (humanitarian aid) as it is extremely common in news.

Check the Tones

Ensure 'yuán' rises and 'zhù' falls sharply to be clearly understood.

Character '援'

Pay attention to the right side of '援'. It's not the same as '缓' (slow).

News Keywords

If you hear '援助' on the news, the story is likely about a disaster, a loan, or a treaty.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 援 as a 'hand' (扌) reaching out to 'pull' someone. Combine it with 助, which you already know from 'help' (帮助). 援助 is the 'Professional Pull-Up Help'.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant hand lifting a small village out of a flood. The hand represents the '援' and the supplies it carries represent the '助'.

Word Web

援助经济法律医疗人道主义提供接受寻求

Challenge

Try to write a sentence using 援助 to describe a news story you heard recently. Make sure to specify what kind of aid was given (e.g., 医疗援助).

Word Origin

The word 援助 is composed of 援 (yuán) and 助 (zhù). 援 originally depicted a hand (扌) pulling or leading something, often related to pulling someone up or citing authority. 助 (zhù) combines 'power/strength' (力) and 'vessel/altar' (且), originally meaning to provide additional strength or support to a task.

Original meaning: To pull someone up and provide strength; to assist a party in need with resources or effort.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

When discussing 援助 in a political context, be aware that the term can sometimes carry implications of 'soft power' or 'influence' depending on the speaker's perspective.

In English, 'aid' often specifically refers to international humanitarian efforts, whereas 'assistance' is broader. 援助 covers both.

抗美援朝 (War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea) 法律援助条例 (Legal Aid Regulations of China) 中国对外援助白皮书 (White Paper on China's Foreign Aid)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

International News

对外援助
经济援助
人道主义援助
提供紧急援助

Legal System

法律援助
申请援助
法律援助中心
免费法律援助

Disaster Relief

医疗援助
物资援助
接受国际援助
呼吁全球援助

Economics

财务援助
技术援助
援助资金
援助计划

Community Service

心理援助
教育援助
援助贫困家庭
社区援助项目

Conversation Starters

"你认为哪个国家提供的对外援助最多？"

"你觉得法律援助对普通人重要吗？"

"如果发生自然灾害，你愿意去灾区提供援助吗？"

"你参与过任何形式的援助项目吗？"

"你认为援助应该是有偿的还是无偿的？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你看到或听到的关于国际援助的新闻，它对当地有什么影响？

如果你是一家大型非政府组织的负责人，你会优先援助哪些领域？

讨论法律援助在维护社会公平正义中的作用。

写一封信给政府，呼吁增加对教育落后地区的援助。

反思援助与被援助者之间的关系：如何确保援助是尊重的、有效的？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. Using 援助 with a friend sounds very strange and overly formal. Use 帮助 (bāngzhù) or 帮忙 (bāngmáng) instead. 援助 is reserved for things like government aid or legal assistance.

援助 is 'aid' for those in need (like charity or disaster relief). 支援 is 'reinforcement' or 'support' for an ongoing effort (like sending more troops to a battle or more doctors to a busy hospital).

Yes, this is a fixed technical term in Chinese law. You should not say 法律帮助.

Yes, it is very commonly used as a noun, such as in '提供援助' (provide aid) or '紧急援助' (emergency aid).

No, it is also used domestically, such as for 'legal aid' for citizens or 'poverty alleviation' assistance within a country.

The most common term is 对外援助 (duìwài yuánzhù).

It means 'gratuitous assistance' or 'grant aid', which is help provided without the expectation of repayment.

Yes, 军事援助 (jūnshì yuánzhù) is the standard term for military aid.

Yes, it can describe a financial bailout or technical assistance provided by one company to another, usually in a crisis.

There isn't one direct opposite, but words like 阻碍 (hinder) or 干扰 (interfere) represent the opposite action.