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B1 noun/verb #4,000 most common 9 min read

补贴

butie Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 补贴 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 补贴 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 补贴 (bǔtiē) means 'extra money' given to help with things like food or travel. Imagine you work at a shop, and the boss gives you 10 yuan every day to buy lunch. That 10 yuan is a '补贴'. In simple Chinese, you can think of it as '补' (to add/fix) and '贴' (to help with money). At this stage, you might see it in very simple sentences about daily life, like 'I have a food subsidy' (我有伙食补贴). You don't need to worry about the complex economic meanings yet. Just remember it is money given by a company or government to help you pay for specific things. It is a noun you can use with '有' (have) or '给' (give). It is not a gift; it is for a purpose. For example, 'The company gives me a travel allowance' (公司给我交通补贴). This is a very useful word because many jobs in China include these small extra payments.

At the A2 level, you should start recognizing 补贴 (bǔtiē) in more varied contexts, especially relating to work and simple government help. You should be able to identify common types of subsidies, such as 'housing subsidy' (住房补贴) and 'meal subsidy' (伙食补贴). You will begin to see this word in job advertisements or when people talk about their benefits. At this level, you should also understand that 补贴 can be used as a verb meaning 'to help out with money.' A common phrase is '补贴家用' (to help with family expenses), which you might hear in stories about people working hard to support their parents. You should be able to form simple sentences using 补贴 as both a noun and a verb. For example, 'Government subsidies are very important' (政府补贴很重要). You are moving beyond just 'extra money' to understanding that it is a formal term for financial support for specific needs.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 补贴 (bǔtiē) correctly in professional and social contexts. You should understand the difference between 补贴 (subsidy/allowance) and 奖金 (bonus). You will encounter this word in news articles about the economy, such as 'agricultural subsidies' (农业补贴) or 'energy subsidies' (能源补贴). You should be comfortable using it in a workplace setting to discuss your contract or benefits package. For example, you might ask, 'Does this position include a housing allowance?' (这个职位有住房补贴吗？). You should also understand the nuance of 补贴 as a verb in more complex sentences, such as 'He uses his scholarship to subsidize his research' (他用奖学金来补贴他的研究). This level requires you to know common collocations like '发放补贴' (to issue a subsidy) and '申请补贴' (to apply for a subsidy). You are now using the word to describe systematic financial support systems.

At the B2 level, your understanding of 补贴 (bǔtiē) should include its role in government policy and corporate strategy. You should be able to discuss the pros and cons of certain subsidies, such as whether government 补贴 for electric cars actually helps the environment. You will see this word in more academic or business-oriented texts, often paired with words like '财政' (fiscal), '政策' (policy), or '额度' (quota/limit). You should be able to distinguish 补贴 from more formal terms like 津贴 (stipend) or 补助 (financial aid). For example, you might explain that a '津贴' is for a specific title or skill, while a '补贴' is for a specific expense. You should also be able to use the word in the context of international trade, where 'export subsidies' (出口补贴) can be a point of contention between countries. Your vocabulary should now include terms like '挂钩' (linked to) or '挂钩补贴' (subsidies linked to performance).

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced command of 补贴 (bǔtiē) and its related technical terms. You can engage in deep discussions about fiscal policy, such as the impact of 'cross-subsidization' (交叉补贴) in public utilities or the role of 'price subsidies' (价格补贴) in controlling inflation. You should be able to read and analyze government work reports where 补贴 is mentioned in the context of 'structural adjustments' or 'social safety nets.' You will understand the subtle differences in tone when a writer chooses 补贴 over 资助 or 扶持. In a professional environment, you should be able to negotiate complex benefit packages involving multiple types of allowances and understand the tax implications of these 补贴. You should also be able to use the word metaphorically or in highly specialized contexts, such as 'carbon subsidies' or 'innovation subsidies' in the tech industry. Your usage should be precise, following all formal grammatical conventions.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 补贴 (bǔtiē) across all domains, from classical-influenced formal writing to modern economic theory. You can analyze the etymological roots of the characters and how the concept of 'mending a gap' (补) with 'money' (贴) reflects historical Chinese views on social welfare and governance. You are capable of drafting formal policy proposals or legal contracts that define the terms of 补贴 with absolute precision. You can participate in high-level debates about the geopolitical implications of state-led 补贴 in global markets. Furthermore, you are sensitive to the socio-economic connotations of the word—how it relates to the 'iron rice bowl' era versus the modern market economy. You can use the word with rhetorical flair, perhaps in a speech about social justice or corporate responsibility. Your understanding is not just linguistic, but deeply cultural and systemic, allowing you to use 补贴 as a tool for sophisticated communication in any setting.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

补贴 in 30 Seconds

补贴 (bǔtiē) means subsidy or allowance, used for financial support.
It works as a noun (a subsidy) and a verb (to subsidize).
Commonly found in workplace benefits (housing, food) and government policy.
It focuses on 'mending' a financial gap for specific expenses.

The term 补贴 (bǔtiē) is a versatile and essential word in the Chinese language, primarily functioning as both a noun and a verb. At its core, it refers to financial assistance, subsidies, or allowances provided by an entity—usually a government, an employer, or an organization—to help cover specific costs or to support a particular group of people. In a linguistic sense, the word is composed of two characters: 补 (bǔ), meaning 'to mend, repair, or supplement,' and 贴 (tiē), which originally meant 'to stick or paste' but evolved in financial contexts to refer to providing monetary support or 'pasting' over a financial gap. When you use this word, you are talking about bridging a gap between what someone has and what they need to spend.

Economic Context: In macroeconomics, 补贴 refers to government subsidies aimed at stabilizing prices or encouraging production in specific sectors like agriculture or green energy. For example, the Chinese government often provides 补贴 to farmers to ensure food security.

政府决定增加对新能源汽车的补贴以减少污染。(The government decided to increase subsidies for new energy vehicles to reduce pollution.)

In the corporate world, 补贴 is a standard part of a compensation package. It is distinct from a 'salary' (工资) or a 'bonus' (奖金). While a salary is for your work and a bonus is for your performance, a 补贴 is for your expenses. Common examples include housing allowances (住房补贴), meal allowances (伙食补贴), and transportation allowances (交通补贴). It is common for job seekers in China to ask not just about the base salary, but also about the 'welfare and subsidies' (福利补贴) included in the contract. This word carries a nuance of 'necessity'—it is money meant to help you manage the cost of living or the cost of doing business, rather than a reward for excellence.

Social Context: Socially, 补贴 can describe an individual helping another, such as a child sending money home to 补贴 their parents' living costs. It implies a sense of responsibility and support.

他在业余时间打两份工来补贴家用。(He works two part-time jobs in his spare time to help with household expenses.)

Understanding 补贴 is crucial for anyone navigating life in China, as it appears on pay stubs, in news reports about the national budget, and in daily conversations about the rising cost of living. It reflects a societal structure where the collective (be it a company or the state) takes an active role in managing the individual's practical financial burdens. Whether it is a few hundred yuan for a commute or billions of yuan for a national high-tech initiative, 补贴 remains the go-to term for financial bridging.

Using 补贴 (bǔtiē) correctly requires understanding its dual role as a noun and a verb. As a noun, it functions like 'allowance' or 'subsidy.' As a verb, it means 'to subsidize' or 'to supplement.' The grammar surrounding 补贴 is relatively straightforward, but the choice of accompanying verbs and objects is key to sounding natural.

Noun Usage: When used as a noun, it often follows verbs like 提供 (tígōng - to provide), 领取 (lǐngqǔ - to receive/draw), or 申请 (shēnqǐng - to apply for). For example, '申请政府补贴' (Apply for a government subsidy).

公司每个月给我们发三百块钱的午餐补贴。(The company gives us a 300-yuan lunch allowance every month.)

When 补贴 is a verb, it usually describes an action where one entity provides money to cover the costs of another entity or activity. A very common phrase is '补贴家用' (bǔtiē jiāyòng), which means to supplement the family's income or help with household expenses. Another common use is '国家补贴农业' (The state subsidizes agriculture). Note that when used as a verb, the focus is on the act of filling a financial hole.

Specific Types: Different prefixes change the meaning: 住房补贴 (housing), 交通补贴 (transport), 高温补贴 (high-temperature allowance - given in summer), 差旅补贴 (travel stipend).

由于他在高温环境下工作，他有权领取高温补贴。(Since he works in a high-temperature environment, he is entitled to a heat allowance.)

In formal documents, you might see the phrase '财政补贴' (cáizhèng bǔtiē), referring to fiscal subsidies. In a sentence: '该项目依赖于政府的财政补贴' (The project relies on government fiscal subsidies). In casual conversation, if a friend is paying for your dinner because you are broke, you might jokingly say, '谢谢你补贴我' (Thanks for subsidizing me/helping me out). This versatility across formal and informal registers makes it a high-frequency word for B1 learners and above.

If you are living in China or working with Chinese companies, 补贴 (bǔtiē) is a word you will encounter daily, though often in specific professional or administrative contexts. The most common place to hear it is in the workplace. During a job interview, when discussing the 'package,' the HR manager might list various 补贴. They won't just say 'money'; they will break it down into categories like 'communication allowance' (通讯补贴) for your phone bill or 'overtime meal allowance' (加班餐补).

除了基本工资，我们还提供每月的住房补贴。(In addition to the base salary, we also provide a monthly housing allowance.)

Another major arena for this word is the news and social media discussions about government policy. Whenever the Chinese government announces a new initiative—whether it's promoting electric vehicles, supporting rural revitalization, or helping small businesses recover from economic downturns—the word 补贴 is the headline. You will hear news anchors discuss '发放补贴' (fāfàng bǔtiē - issuing subsidies) or '补贴政策' (bǔtiē zhèngcè - subsidy policies). For instance, when the government wants people to trade in old appliances for new ones, they call it '以旧换新补贴' (trade-in subsidy).

In residential life, you might hear your neighbors talking about '取暖补贴' (heating allowance) in the winter, especially in northern China where the government or employers help cover the costs of central heating. If you are a student, you might hear about '生活补贴' (living stipend) for postgraduates or international students. It's a word that signifies support and financial relief. Even in family settings, an older sibling might '补贴' a younger sibling who is still in school, reinforcing the idea of familial support. Essentially, anywhere money moves from a larger source to a smaller one to help with costs, you will hear 补贴.

For English speakers, the primary difficulty with 补贴 (bǔtiē) lies in distinguishing it from other similar terms like 补助 (bǔzhù), 津贴 (jīntiē), and 奖金 (jiǎngjīn). While they all involve receiving money, their purposes and contexts differ significantly. One common mistake is using 补贴 when you actually mean a 'bonus' (奖金). A bonus is a reward for good performance, whereas a 补贴 is a reimbursement or assistance for an expense. If you tell your boss, 'I worked hard, I want a 补贴,' it sounds like you are asking for help with your rent, not a reward for your hard work.

补贴 vs. 补助 (bǔzhù): These are very similar. 补贴 is often for specific expenses (like food or transport), while 补助 is often broader and aimed at helping someone in a difficult situation (like a disaster relief subsidy or a poverty grant).

错误用法：我想申请勤奋补贴。(Incorrect: I want to apply for a 'hard-work subsidy.') -> 应该用：奖金 (Bonus).

Another mistake is the grammatical placement of the word. As a verb, 补贴 must be followed by the person or the thing being subsidized. You cannot simply say '我补贴' (I subsidize) without an object. You must say '我补贴他的学费' (I subsidize his tuition). Also, learners often confuse 补贴 with 贴补 (tiēbǔ). While they are essentially the same and often interchangeable, 贴补 is more informal and commonly used in the phrase '贴补家用' (supplementing household expenses).

Finally, watch out for the difference between 补贴 and 津贴 (jīntiē). 津贴 is usually a 'stipend' or 'allowance' for special duties or honors (like a 'specialist stipend' for a top scientist). 补贴 is more common for everyday costs. Using the wrong one in a formal contract might lead to legal or financial misunderstandings. Always verify the specific category of the payment before using the term in a professional setting.

To truly master 补贴 (bǔtiē), you should understand how it sits within a family of words related to financial support. Each word has a specific nuance that changes the tone of the sentence.

津贴 (jīntiē): Meaning: Stipend or allowance. Often used for specialized positions or extra duties. For example, 岗位津贴 (post allowance). It sounds slightly more formal than 补贴.
补助 (bǔzhù): Meaning: Financial aid or grant. Usually implies providing help to those in need or covering a deficit. For example, 医疗补助 (medical assistance).
资助 (zīzhù): Meaning: To sponsor or provide financial aid, often for education or research. It implies a benefactor-recipient relationship. For example, 资助贫困学生 (sponsoring students from low-income families).

政府提供了农业补贴，同时也为受灾农民提供了紧急补助。(The government provided agricultural subsidies and also provided emergency aid to farmers affected by the disaster.)

If you want to talk about money given as a gift, use 红包 (hóngbāo) or 礼金 (lǐjīn). If you are talking about a discount, use 折扣 (zhékòu). If the money is a refund, use 退款 (tuìkuǎn). 补贴 is specifically for the purpose of 'offsetting' a cost. For example, in the phrase '餐补' (short for 餐饮补贴), the money is intended to offset the cost of your lunch, even if it doesn't cover the whole bill.

When choosing between these words, consider the source and the intent. Is it a government policy? (补贴/补助). Is it an employer's standard benefit? (补贴/津贴). Is it a charitable act? (资助/补助). By selecting the right word, you demonstrate a deep understanding of Chinese social and economic structures. 补贴 remains the most common and versatile of the group, making it the safest choice for most 'allowance' or 'subsidy' scenarios.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '贴' (tiē) originally meant to stick things on a wall, but because coins in ancient China had holes and were often 'attached' or 'stuck' together on strings, it became associated with money.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bǔ.tʰjɛ̂/

US /buʊ.tiɛ/

Primary stress on the first syllable 'bǔ'.

Rhymes With

补 (bǔ) rhymes with: 主 (zhǔ), 虎 (hǔ), 古 (gǔ) 贴 (tiē) rhymes with: 些 (xiē), 街 (jiē), 阶 (jiē) Other rhymes: 别 (bié - different tone), 铁 (tiě - different tone)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'tie' in the fourth tone (tiè) instead of the first tone (tiē).
Failing to dip low enough on the third tone 'bǔ'.
Confusing the 't' sound in 'tie' with a 'd' sound.
Misreading the radical in 'tie' (贝 - shell/money) as another radical.
Pronouncing 'bu' as 'pu'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and formal documents, requires understanding of financial context.

Writing 3/5

Characters are moderately complex but high-frequency.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce once tones are mastered.

Listening 3/5

Often abbreviated (e.g., 餐补), which can be tricky for learners.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

钱 (money) 给 (give) 生活 (life) 公司 (company) 政府 (government)

Learn Next

福利 (welfare) 待遇 (compensation) 保险 (insurance) 税 (tax) 经济 (economy)

Advanced

宏观调控 (macro-control) 财政赤字 (fiscal deficit) 杠杆 (leverage)

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements with 补

弥补损失 (míbǔ sǔnshī) - to make up for losses.

Verb-Object compounds

餐补 (cānbǔ) - meal subsidy.

Preposition '由' for agent

补贴由政府发放。

The 'For' structure '为...提供'

为员工提供补贴。

Adverbial '通过'

通过补贴来促进消费。

Examples by Level

公司给我交通补贴。

The company gives me a transport allowance.

Subject + 给 + Indirect Object + Noun.

我有伙食补贴。

I have a food subsidy.

Simple Subject + 有 + Noun.

这五百块是补贴。

This 500 yuan is a subsidy.

Demonstrative + Number + Measure Word + 是 + Noun.

老师给学生补贴。

The teacher gives the students a subsidy.

Standard 'give' structure.

你有没有补贴？

Do you have a subsidy?

A-not-A question form.

我的补贴很少。

My subsidy is very little.

Adjective predicate with '很'.

我也想要补贴。

I also want a subsidy.

Adverb '也' before the verb '想要'.

这是政府的补贴。

This is a government subsidy.

Possessive '的' linking government and subsidy.

他打工补贴生活费。

He works part-time to subsidize his living expenses.

Verb usage: 补贴 + Object (expenses).

住房补贴每个月发一次。

The housing allowance is issued once a month.

Passive context with frequency '每个月...一次'.

农民可以申请农业补贴。

Farmers can apply for agricultural subsidies.

Auxiliary verb '可以' + verb '申请'.

公司不提供午餐补贴。

The company does not provide a lunch allowance.

Negative '不' before the verb '提供'.

这项补贴对我很重要。

This subsidy is very important to me.

Structure '对...很重要'.

我们需要更多的补贴。

We need more subsidies.

Quantity '更多' modifying the noun.

补贴已经发到卡里了。

The subsidy has already been sent to the card.

Resultative '到' + Location '卡里'.

这笔钱是用来补贴家用的。

This money is used to supplement household expenses.

Structure '用来' (used for).

政府决定发放高温补贴。

The government decided to issue high-temperature allowances.

Verb phrase '发放补贴'.

你应该向公司申请差旅补贴。

You should apply to the company for a travel stipend.

Preposition '向' indicating the target of the application.

这笔补贴缓解了我的经济压力。

This subsidy relieved my financial pressure.

Abstract object '经济压力'.

除了工资，还有各种福利补贴。

In addition to salary, there are various welfare subsidies.

Structure '除了...还有...'.

他用业余时间送外卖来补贴收入。

He delivers food in his spare time to supplement his income.

Purpose clause '来' + verb.

由于政策变化，补贴金额减少了。

Due to policy changes, the subsidy amount has decreased.

Cause '由于' + Result.

这项补贴只针对低收入家庭。

This subsidy is only for low-income families.

Verb '针对' (to target/be aimed at).

你能解释一下补贴的领取流程吗？

Can you explain the process for receiving the subsidy?

Softening with '一下' and '吗' question.

政府通过补贴鼓励新能源产业的发展。

The government encourages the development of the new energy industry through subsidies.

Instrumental '通过' + Method.

过度依赖补贴可能削弱企业的竞争力。

Over-reliance on subsidies may weaken a company's competitiveness.

Subject is a complex phrase '过度依赖补贴'.

该地区的取暖补贴由财政统一拨付。

The heating subsidy in this area is centrally allocated by the treasury.

Passive-like '由...拨付' structure.

我们需要评估这项补贴政策的长期影响。

We need to evaluate the long-term impact of this subsidy policy.

Formal verb '评估' (evaluate).

有些企业利用漏洞骗取国家补贴。

Some companies use loopholes to defraud the state of subsidies.

Negative verb '骗取' (to defraud/gain by cheating).

失业补贴为失去工作的人提供了基本保障。

Unemployment subsidies provide a basic guarantee for those who have lost their jobs.

Structure '为...提供...'.

补贴的额度根据家庭年收入而定。

The amount of the subsidy is determined according to the annual family income.

Structure '根据...而定' (determined by).

政府正考虑取消对化石燃料的补贴。

The government is considering canceling subsidies for fossil fuels.

Continuous aspect '正' + verb.

出口补贴常被视为不公平竞争的手段。

Export subsidies are often seen as a means of unfair competition.

Passive marker '被' + '视为' (regarded as).

交叉补贴在公共交通系统中十分常见。

Cross-subsidization is very common in public transportation systems.

Technical term '交叉补贴'.

该项政策旨在通过财政补贴优化产业结构。

The policy aims to optimize the industrial structure through fiscal subsidies.

Formal structure '旨在' (aims to).

补贴的逐步退出应当平稳进行，以防市场波动。

The gradual withdrawal of subsidies should be carried out smoothly to prevent market fluctuations.

Nominalization of '补贴的逐步退出'.

地方政府应确保补贴资金精准滴灌到真正需要的企业。

Local governments should ensure that subsidy funds are precisely channeled to enterprises that truly need them.

Metaphorical '精准滴灌' (precision irrigation/targeting).

补贴金额的计算涉及多个复杂的参数。

The calculation of the subsidy amount involves several complex parameters.

Verb '涉及' (involve/relate to).

尽管有补贴，该项目的盈利前景依然不明朗。

Despite the subsidies, the profit prospects of the project remain unclear.

Concessive '尽管...依然...'.

政府补贴与市场机制之间的平衡至关重要。

The balance between government subsidies and market mechanisms is crucial.

Structure 'A与B之间的平衡'.

对基础研究的长期补贴是国家创新能力的基石。

Long-term subsidies for basic research are the cornerstone of a nation's innovation capability.

Metaphorical '基石' (cornerstone).

在全球化背景下，补贴政策往往牵涉复杂的国际法纠纷。

In the context of globalization, subsidy policies often involve complex international law disputes.

Verb '牵涉' (implicate/involve).

政府应警惕补贴带来的寻租行为和资源错配。

The government should be wary of rent-seeking behavior and resource misallocation caused by subsidies.

Economic terms '寻租' (rent-seeking) and '资源错配' (resource misallocation).

补贴的本质是公共财富的再分配。

The essence of a subsidy is the redistribution of public wealth.

Abstract definition using '本质是' (essence is).

通过差异化补贴，政府可以引导资本流向战略性新兴产业。

Through differentiated subsidies, the government can guide capital flow toward strategic emerging industries.

Compound modifier '战略性新兴产业'.

补贴政策的透明度是维护公众信任的关键。

The transparency of subsidy policies is key to maintaining public trust.

Abstract noun '透明度' (transparency).

在后补贴时代，企业必须依靠技术创新而非政策红利生存。

In the post-subsidy era, enterprises must rely on technological innovation rather than policy dividends to survive.

Structure '依靠...而非...'.

对贫困地区的转移支付和专项补贴体现了社会公平。

Transfer payments and special subsidies to impoverished areas reflect social equity.

Formal subject with '体现了' (reflects/embodies).

Synonyms

津贴补助资助扶持救济

Antonyms

征收扣除

Common Collocations

发放补贴

申请补贴

住房补贴

交通补贴

高温补贴

财政补贴

补贴家用

领取补贴

农业补贴

生活补贴

Common Phrases

餐补

— Short for 餐饮补贴 (Meal allowance).

我们公司的餐补是每天20元。

差旅补贴

— Allowance for business travel expenses.

出差时，每天有100元的差旅补贴。

外派补贴

— Allowance for being sent to work in a different city or country.

外派补贴通常很高。

通讯补贴

— Allowance for phone and internet bills.

销售人员通常有通讯补贴。

薪资补贴

— General term for salary-related allowances.

他的薪资补贴包含在总收入里。

生育补贴

— Maternity/Paternity allowance.

政府提高了生育补贴的额度。

节能补贴

— Subsidies for energy-saving products.

买这款空调可以享受节能补贴。

全勤补贴

— Perfect attendance allowance.

如果没有迟到，你可以拿到全勤补贴。

租房补贴

— Rent subsidy.

刚毕业的学生可以申请租房补贴。

过渡性补贴

— Transitional subsidy provided during a period of change.

公司改革期间发放了过渡性补贴。

Often Confused With

补贴 vs 补助

补助 is more for general aid (e.g., disaster relief), while 补贴 is for specific costs (e.g., transport).

补贴 vs 奖金

奖金 is a reward for performance; 补贴 is support for expenses.

补贴 vs 津贴

津贴 is often for special professional roles or honors.

Idioms & Expressions

"贴补家用"

— To help meet household expenses; very common in daily life.

他靠写稿子贴补家用。

Neutral

"补偏救弊"

— To remedy defects and correct errors; uses the '补' character in a related sense.

这项政策是为了补偏救弊。

Formal

"取长补短"

— To learn from others' strengths to offset one's own weaknesses.

我们应该互相学习，取长补短。

Neutral

"不无小补"

— To be of some help, though not a lot.

这笔钱虽然不多，但也算不无小补。

Literary

"拆东墙补西墙"

— To rob Peter to pay Paul; patching up one hole by creating another.

靠借债度日只是拆东墙补西墙。

Colloquial

"勤能补拙"

— Diligence can make up for lack of talent.

虽然他天分不高，但勤能补拙。

Neutral

"亡羊补牢"

— To mend the fold after the sheep are gone; better late than never.

现在改正还来得及，亡羊补牢，为时未晚。

Neutral

"杯水车薪"

— A cup of water for a cartload of firewood; an utterly inadequate measure (often used when a subsidy is too small).

这点补贴对于庞大的开支来说简直是杯水车薪。

Neutral

"雪中送炭"

— To send charcoal in snowy weather; to provide timely help (often used to describe a helpful subsidy).

这笔补贴真是雪中送炭。

Neutral

"锦上添花"

— To add flowers to brocade; to make something already good even better (opposite of a needed subsidy).

这笔奖金对他来说只是锦上添花。

Neutral

Easily Confused

补贴 vs 贴补

Characters are reversed.

Essentially the same, but '贴补' is more informal and often used as a verb in '贴补家用'.

他打零工贴补家用。

补贴 vs 补偿

Both start with '补'.

补偿 means 'compensation' for a loss or injury, not a regular allowance.

他得到了车祸补偿金。

补贴 vs 补充

Both start with '补'.

补充 means 'to supplement' in general (like adding more info or water), not necessarily money.

请补充一下你的观点。

补贴 vs 资助

Both involve giving money to help.

资助 is usually sponsorship (like for a student), while 补贴 is a subsidy for a cost.

他得到了校友的资助。

补贴 vs 拨款

Both involve government money.

拨款 is the act of allocating a large sum of money for a project.

政府为新医院拨款。

Sentence Patterns

我有 + [Type]补贴。

我有交通补贴。

公司给员工 + [Type]补贴。

公司给员工住房补贴。

他通过[Method]来补贴[Expense]。

他通过打工来补贴生活费。

政府决定发放[Type]补贴以[Purpose]。

政府决定发放农业补贴以稳定粮价。

该政策旨在通过财政补贴[Action]。

该政策旨在通过财政补贴优化能源结构。

补贴的逐步退出应兼顾[Factor]与[Factor]。

补贴的逐步退出应兼顾行业发展与财政负担。

All

申请 + [Type]补贴

申请创业补贴

All

领取 + [Type]补贴

领取高温补贴

Word Family

Nouns

补贴款 (subsidy fund)

补贴金 (subsidy money)

津贴 (stipend)

补助 (aid)

Verbs

贴补 (supplement)

弥补 (make up for)

补充 (replenish)

补偿 (compensate)

Adjectives

补贴性的 (subsidized/subsidy-related)

财政 (finance)

福利 (welfare)

待遇 (treatment/compensation)

工资 (salary)

收入 (income)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in work, news, and economic contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 补贴 as a reward for hard work. → 奖金 (Bonus)
补贴 is for expenses, not performance rewards.
Saying '我有补贴钱' (I have subsidy money). → 我有补贴。
补贴 already implies money; adding '钱' is redundant and unnatural.
Confusing 补贴 with 补助 in a formal contract. → Check the specific legal term used.
While similar, they may have different legal definitions regarding tax and eligibility.
Mispronouncing 'tiē' as 'tiè'. → bǔtiē (1st tone)
Tones are crucial; 'tiè' is the 4th tone and is incorrect here.
Using '补贴' to mean a general discount in a shop. → 折扣 (Discount)
A discount is a price reduction; a subsidy is money provided to cover a cost.

Tips

Verb Usage

When using 补贴 as a verb, always follow it with the person or the expense you are supporting. Example: 补贴贫困学生.

Common Pairs

Learn 补贴 with '发放' (to issue) and '领取' (to receive). These are the most common verb-noun pairs.

Job Hunting

In China, always check the 补贴 section of a job offer. Sometimes a lower base salary is made up for by high subsidies.

Tax Awareness

Be aware that in a professional context, '补贴' and '津贴' might have different tax treatments.

Abbreviations

Use '餐补' (cānbǔ) instead of '餐饮补贴' in casual office talk to sound more like a native.

Formal Contexts

In formal writing, use '财政补贴' to refer to government financial support.

The Shell Radical

Remember the '贝' in '贴' means money. This helps you remember it's a financial term.

Subsidy vs Bonus

Never confuse 补贴 with 奖金. Subsidies are for needs; bonuses are for achievements.

Family Support

Use '补贴家用' to describe the virtuous act of sending money home to parents.

Green Energy

The term '新能源补贴' (new energy subsidy) is a very hot topic in Chinese news right now.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Bǔ' as a 'Button' being sewn on to 'patch' a hole, and 'Tiē' as a 'Ticket' or 'Tag' made of money (the '贝' radical) being 'stuck' on to help you pay.

Visual Association

Imagine a pair of pants with a hole (your budget) and someone pasting a 100-yuan bill over it as a patch.

Word Web

Government Company Money Help Allowance Housing Food Transport

Challenge

Try to list three things in your life that you wish you had a 补贴 for (e.g., coffee, gym, books) using the Chinese word.

Word Origin

The word 补贴 is a compound of '补' (to mend/repair) and '贴' (to stick/provide). '补' dates back to ancient silk weaving, meaning to patch a garment. '贴' contains the '贝' (shell) radical, which was the earliest form of currency in China, indicating its financial nature.

Original meaning: To patch up a financial deficit or to provide extra support to stick to a budget.

Sino-Tibetan / Sinitic

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing government subsidies in a political context, as they can be a sensitive topic regarding international trade or local corruption.

In the West, we often use 'allowance' for kids and 'subsidy' for governments. In Chinese, 补贴 covers both plus corporate benefits.

Government Work Reports (政府工作报告) frequently mention 补贴. The movie 'I Am Not Madame Bovary' touches on social benefits. Modern TV dramas about office life often feature characters complaining about their 补贴.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Interview

请问有住房补贴吗？
福利补贴包括哪些？
交通补贴怎么算？
有餐补吗？

Government Office

我想申请失业补贴。
领取补贴需要什么材料？
补贴什么时候发放？
我不符合补贴条件。

Family Talk

我每个月补贴家里两千块。
这笔钱可以补贴孩子的学费。
家里需要点补贴。
谢谢你补贴我。

Business News

政府增加农业补贴。
新能源汽车补贴退坡。
财政补贴力度加大。
取消不合理的补贴。

Shopping

这款产品有节能补贴。
以旧换新可以拿补贴。
平台发放了消费补贴。
补贴后的价格很便宜。

Conversation Starters

"你们公司的福利补贴怎么样？"

"你觉得政府应该给新能源汽车补贴吗？"

"在你们国家，失业补贴高吗？"

"你有没有领过政府的任何补贴？"

"你每个月会补贴家里吗？"

Journal Prompts

描述一下你理想中的公司福利补贴制度。

如果政府给你一笔特殊的补贴，你会怎么花这笔钱？

讨论一下补贴对一个行业发展的利与弊。

你曾经通过兼职来补贴过自己的生活费吗？请分享那段经历。

写一段关于政府如何利用补贴来帮助贫困地区的短文。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 补贴 is separate from your base salary (工资). It is an additional allowance for specific expenses like rent or food.

Generally, yes. Most corporate subsidies are considered part of your taxable income, though some specific government subsidies may be exempt.

It is a very common abbreviation for '餐饮补贴' (meal allowance), usually provided by companies to cover lunch costs.

No. A gift is '礼物' or '红包'. 补贴 must have a functional purpose, like covering a cost.

It is a legally required allowance in China for workers who work in high temperatures (usually above 35°C) during summer months.

It is both. Noun: 'I have a subsidy.' Verb: 'I subsidize my family.'

They are often interchangeable, but 补贴 is more common for specific cost-offsetting (like transport), while 补助 is more common for general welfare aid.

It's better to say '发放补贴' or '给钱作为补贴'. '补贴钱' sounds slightly unnatural.

Usually the government (for social reasons) or a company (as an employee benefit).

Yes, especially when discussing jobs, government help, or supporting family members.