加油

Chinese

FWOTD – 15 November 2014
to add; plus oil; sly
simp. and trad.
(加油)
Literally: “to increase 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".
  • Wu
    • (Shanghainese)
      • Wiktionary: 1ka 3hhieu
      • Sinological IPA (key): /ka̱⁴⁴  ɦiɜ²³/

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

Derived terms

  • 空中加油
  • 加油機加油机
  • 加油添醬加油添酱
  • 空中加油飛機空中加油飞机

Interjection

加油

  1. come on!; go for it!; go!
    加油   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

This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.