加油

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Chinese

Chinese phrasebook
This entry is part of the phrasebook project, which presents criteria for inclusion based on utility, simplicity and commonness.
FWOTD – 15 November 2014
to add; plus oil; sly
simp. and trad.
(加油) 		加 油
Literally: “to add fuel”.

Etymology

It started to be used as an interjection in the '60s and '70s during the Macau Grand Prix when people start chanting "加油", urging the drivers to step on the gas pedal to increase speed. (Can this(+) etymology be sourced?)

Pronunciation

Note:
  • gia1 iu5 - as an interjection;
  • gê1 iu5 - "to refuel".

Verb

加⫽油 (verb-object) (intransitive)

  1. (literally) to oil; to lubricate
  2. (literally) to refuel
  3. (figuratively) to refuel to accelerate; to hit the gas
  4. (figuratively) to make extra effort; to work hard
  5. (figuratively) to cheer someone on

Synonyms

Dialectal synonyms of 加油 (“to refuel (a vehicle)”)
Variety Location Words
Formal (Written Standard Chinese) 加油
Northeastern Mandarin Taiwan 加油
Malaysia 打油
Singapore 打油
Southwestern Mandarin Guilin 加油
Dagudi (Maliba) 上油
Reshuitang (Longling) 上油
Mae Salong (Lancang) 上油
Mae Sai (Tengchong) 上油
Cantonese Hong Kong 入油
Gan Lichuan 加油
Hakka Miaoli (N. Sixian) 添油, 加油
Pingtung (Neipu; S. Sixian) 添油, 加油
Hsinchu County (Zhudong; Hailu) 添油, 加油
Taichung (Dongshi; Dabu) 添油, 加油
Hsinchu County (Qionglin; Raoping) 添油, 加油
Yunlin (Lunbei; Zhao'an) 添油, 加油
Kuching (Hepo) 打油
Jin Taiyuan 加油
Southern Min Xiamen 添油
Zhao'an 加油
Taipei 加油 GT
Penang (Hokkien) 拍油, 添油
Singapore (Hokkien) 拍油
Manila (Hokkien) 添油, 入油
Chaozhou 加油
Haifeng 加油
Note GT - General Taiwanese (no specific region identified)

Derived terms

Interjection

加油！

  1. come on!; go for it!; go!
    加油，你能行的！ [MSC, trad. and simp.]
    Jiāyóu, nǐ néng xíng de!
    Come on, you can do it!
    中國，加油！／中国，加油！  ―  Zhōngguó, jiāyóu!  ―  Go, China!

Usage notes

  • This interjection is idiomatic. It is mainly used during sporting events, games or competitions, or just to encourage someone.

Synonyms

Descendants

  • → English: add oil (calque)
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