援

yuán

扌 + 爰

Definitions

yuán (verb) to help; to assist; to aid

Etymology

To lead 爰 by hand 扌; 爰 also provides the pronunciation

About

援 is a phono-semantic compound: the hand radical 扌 (indicating an action done with the hands) and the component 爰 (yuán), which carries the meaning 'to lead' and gives the pronunciation. Originally, it referred to physically pulling someone up, dragging, or reaching out to grasp. From the literal act of extending a hand to assist, the sense broadened to more abstract notions of aiding, rescuing, and supporting. In modern Chinese, 援 is used primarily for offering help and reinforcement.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

救援队迅速出动。

Jiùyuán duì xùnsù chūdòng.

The rescue team quickly mobilized.

国际组织提供了医疗援助。

Guójì zǔzhī tígōng le yīliáo yuánzhù.

International organizations provided medical aid.

在困难时期，朋友互相支援。

Zài kùnnan shíqī, péngyou hùxiāng zhīyuán.

During difficult times, friends support each other.

他援引了法律条文来辩护。

Tā yuányǐn le fǎlǜ tiáowén lái biànhù.

He cited legal provisions to defend himself.

这项政策旨在援救经济困境中的企业。

Zhè xiàng zhèngcè zhǐ zài yuánjiù jīngjì kùnjìng zhōng de qǐyè.

This policy aims to rescue enterprises in economic distress.

政府决定向灾区增派援手。

Zhèngfǔ juédìng xiàng zāiqū zēng pài yuánshǒu.

The government decided to send additional helpers to the disaster area.

通过外交途径寻求外部援助是常见做法。

Tōngguò wàijiāo tújìng xúnqiú wàibù yuánzhù shì chángjiàn zuòfǎ.

Seeking external aid through diplomatic channels is a common practice.

在辩论中，他多次援引权威数据以增强说服力。

Zài biànlùn zhōng, tā duō cì yuányǐn quánwēi shùjù yǐ zēngqiáng shuōfúlì.

In the debate, he repeatedly cited authoritative data to enhance persuasiveness.

Related Characters

Component: 扌

Component: 爰

援