Understanding "扶持" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 扶持
• Pinyin: fúchí
• Literal Meaning: to support and to hold
• Primary Meaning: to support; to assist; to foster; to prop up

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
  The word 扶持 is used to describe giving support to someone or something that needs help in order to stand, grow, or develop. It often implies that the recipient is in a weaker or developing position and needs sustained help rather than a one-time favor.
  In modern Chinese, 扶持 is commonly seen in formal or policy-related contexts. For example, a government may 扶持 small businesses, agriculture, education, or certain industries. It can also be used for personal support, such as family members or friends helping someone through a difficult time.
  Compared with the more general word 帮助 (bāngzhù, "to help"), 扶持 carries a stronger sense of deliberate, often ongoing support. It can also suggest "lifting up" someone or something so that they can become stronger or independent.

• Character Breakdown:
  The word 扶持 is made up of two characters:

• 扶 (fú): This character means "to support with the hand," "to steady," or "to help someone up." It contains the hand radical 扌, which indicates an action done with the hand.

• 持 (chí): This character means "to hold," "to grasp," or "to maintain." It also contains the hand radical 扌.

Together, 扶持 literally suggests using one's hands to hold someone or something steady and prevent them from falling. Figuratively, it means giving firm and supportive help.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 政府出台了新政策来扶持中小企业。
• Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ chūtái le xīn zhèngcè lái fúchí zhōngxiǎo qǐyè.

• English: The government introduced new policies to support small and medium-sized enterprises.

• Chinese: 在亲友的扶持下，她慢慢恢复了信心。

• Pinyin: Zài qīnyǒu de fúchí xià, tā mànmàn huīfù le xìnxīn.

• English: With the support of family and friends, she slowly regained her confidence.

• Chinese: 这个基金会致力于扶持贫困地区的教育。

• Pinyin: Zhège jījīnhuì zhìlì yú fúchí pínkùn dìqū de jiàoyù.
• English: This foundation is dedicated to supporting education in impoverished areas.

Cultural Notes

In Chinese official and policy language, 扶持 appears very often. You may hear phrases like 政策扶持 (zhèngcè fúchí, "policy support") or 资金扶持 (zījīn fúchí, "financial support"). This reflects the important role of the government or larger organizations in helping weaker groups grow.
The character 扶 is also used in the word 扶贫 (fúpín, "poverty alleviation"), which is a major social policy in China. Therefore, 扶持 often carries a positive, constructive tone in public discourse. It suggests not just giving temporary aid, but helping someone or something become stronger and more self-reliant.

Conclusion

To remember 扶持, think of a steady hand helping someone stand up and holding them firm. It means to support, assist, or foster someone or something that needs help to develop. Use it in formal contexts or when talking about meaningful, ongoing support.

Sources and Further Reading

• MDBG Chinese Dictionary: 扶持
• Wiktionary: 扶持
• HSK vocabulary reference dataset

Dictionary links are provided for independent reference. Example sentences and learning notes on this page are educational explanations rather than dictionary quotations.