Encouragement & cheering someone on in Chinese 加油打气
jiāyóu dǎqì
Come on! in Chinese is 加油 (jiā yóu).
Also searched for as: encouraging words, cheer up, you can do it, go for it, good luck, motivation.
The words that lift someone up when they need it. 15 essential encouragement & cheering someone on words in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and English. Open it in the app to hear each word, tick off the ones you know and turn them into flashcards.
The go-to word of encouragement in Chinese is 加油 (jiā yóu), literally "add fuel", shouted at sports matches and said before exams, interviews and anything tough. For a gentler touch, 慢慢来 (màn màn lái), take your time, and 别放弃 (bié fàng qì), don't give up, help when someone's struggling, while 我为你骄傲 (wǒ wèi nǐ jiāo ào), I'm proud of you, celebrates success.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 加油 | jiā yóu | come on!; go for it! |
| 打气 | dǎ qì | to cheer on; to boost morale |
| 鼓励 | gǔ lì | to encourage |
| 你可以的 | nǐ kě yǐ de | you can do it |
| 一定行 | yī dìng xíng | you'll definitely make it |
| 相信自己 | xiāng xìn zì jǐ | believe in yourself |
| 别放弃 | bié fàng qì | don't give up |
| 坚持 | jiān chí | to keep at it; to persevere |
| 别灰心 | bié huī xīn | don't lose heart |
| 没事儿 | méi shìr | it's fine; no worries |
| 慢慢来 | màn màn lái | take your time; one step at a time |
| 支持 | zhī chí | to support |
| 我挺你 | wǒ tǐng nǐ | I've got your back |
| 冲 | chōng | go for it! (slang) |
| 为你骄傲 | wèi nǐ jiāo ào | proud of you |
Usage tips
- 加油 works before and during a challenge, and you can put a name or team in front: 中国队加油！ (Zhōng guó duì jiā yóu!). It covers "come on!", "go for it!" and "good luck" all at once.
- 没事儿 (méi shìr) with the 儿 sound is typical of northern speech; in southern China, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia people tend to say 没事 (méi shì).
- 坚持 (jiān chí) often pairs with 下去 or 一下: 坚持下去 (jiān chí xià qu), keep going; 再坚持一下 (zài jiān chí yī xià), hang in there a bit longer.
Common mistakes
- Saying 他很骄傲 to mean "he's proud of himself" in a good way: on its own 骄傲 often means arrogant → to say you're proud of someone, use 为……骄傲: 我为你骄傲 (wǒ wèi nǐ jiāo ào).
- Mixing up 鼓励 (gǔ lì), to encourage, and 鼓掌 (gǔ zhǎng), to clap → you 鼓励 a nervous friend and 鼓掌 at the end of a performance.
Mini dialogue
- A明天就要面试了，我好紧张。Míng tiān jiù yào miàn shì le, wǒ hǎo jǐn zhāng.My interview's tomorrow, I'm so nervous.
- B别怕，你准备得这么好，一定行！Bié pà, nǐ zhǔn bèi de zhè me hǎo, yī dìng xíng!Don't be scared, you've prepared so well, you'll nail it!
- A可是我上次就没过。Kě shì wǒ shàng cì jiù méi guò.But I didn't get through last time.
- B别灰心，要相信自己。加油！Bié huī xīn, yào xiāng xìn zì jǐ. Jiā yóu!Don't lose heart, you've got to believe in yourself. Go for it!
- A谢谢你一直鼓励我。Xiè xie nǐ yī zhí gǔ lì wǒ.Thanks for always encouraging me.
Example sentences
- 明天考试，加油！Exam tomorrow, good luck!
- 大家都来给他打气。Everyone came to cheer him on.
- 谢谢你一直鼓励我。Thanks for always encouraging me.
- 别怕，你可以的！Don't be scared, you can do it!
- 你准备得这么好，一定行！You've prepared so well, you'll nail it!
- 你要相信自己。You've got to believe in yourself.
- 再坚持一下，别放弃！Hang in there, don't give up!
- 坚持就是胜利。Keep going and you'll get there.
- 别灰心，你已经很好了。Don't lose heart, you've done really well.
- 没事儿，下次再来。No worries, there's always next time.
- 别着急，慢慢来。Don't rush, take it one step at a time.
- 我永远支持你。I'll always support you.
- 不管怎样，我挺你！Whatever happens, I've got your back!
- 机会来了，冲啊！Here's your chance, go for it!
- 我真为你骄傲！I'm so proud of you!
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The Encouragement & cheering someone on speaking island has 8 everyday questions about encouragement & cheering someone on to prepare your own answers to.