Jiayou (加油)
- Thread starter danbloom
- Start date
Thanks, w84u. A friend in Taiwan tells me also:
"I don't know how this term came about but the direct translation is 'to refuel, to put more oil on/in something'. By doing those things, a vehicle or machine or lamps in the old days can 'keep going' or 'keep up with it'. So this is used in contexts of showing warm and positive encouragement and tell the person not to give up or feel downhearted. This is used in sports competitions. or said to people who are working towards something or feeling discouraged etc."
So in JAPAN, where people say GAMBATTE, what does "gambatte" mean, literally. It used the same way as jiayo for sports and personal greetings in Japan, but I don't think it is about petrol. Gambatte, gambattemasu!
"I don't know how this term came about but the direct translation is 'to refuel, to put more oil on/in something'. By doing those things, a vehicle or machine or lamps in the old days can 'keep going' or 'keep up with it'. So this is used in contexts of showing warm and positive encouragement and tell the person not to give up or feel downhearted. This is used in sports competitions. or said to people who are working towards something or feeling discouraged etc."
So in JAPAN, where people say GAMBATTE, what does "gambatte" mean, literally. It used the same way as jiayo for sports and personal greetings in Japan, but I don't think it is about petrol. Gambatte, gambattemasu!
I think that jia you is used commonly and it is almost applied to all 5 in most context. But people would also say zhu ni hao yun to express the direct wish of good luck.
In general, when you use jia you, you are supposed to do your best to make things to be doing well or you would like to encourage others to fight for a good result. for example, you hope to make up with your boyfriend/girlfriend because you had a fight, then you may say jia you to encourage yourself to do something better.
In general, when you use jia you, you are supposed to do your best to make things to be doing well or you would like to encourage others to fight for a good result. for example, you hope to make up with your boyfriend/girlfriend because you had a fight, then you may say jia you to encourage yourself to do something better.
I don't think there is anything hard understanding 加油 for a Westerner; it's kind of self explaining: you want a machine/vehicle to go on working or working harder, you put more gas/fuel/petrol/...
The usage field is already perfectly explained in the posts above: sports, work, life, love stories...
The usage field is already perfectly explained in the posts above: sports, work, life, love stories...
Mandarin, English - [Singapore]
I am not quite sure if Chinese use "jiayou" a lot to encourage a person who is in love with someone but dares not say it out.
1. Hang in there.
2. I'm all the way behind you.
3. You have my support.
4. I think what you're doing is worth every effort you can garner.
5. I'm rooting for you.
6. You have my blessings.
7. Best wishes.
8. I look forward to seeing your success.
I am not quite sure if Chinese use "jiayou" a lot to encourage a person who is in love with someone but dares not say it out.
But this goes way out of the scope of this thread, customs of people concerning heart matters here are really different from what we are used to in the West, so sometimes even the easiest, blandest ideas are not to be expressed in some contexts, whereas we would naturally express advices and opinions in the West.
After reading your post, something just popped into my head and I would like to share with you guys.
I believe that in China people sometimes use "jiayou" to express his or her slight dissatisfaction or dissapointment.
ATTENTION: the level of dissatisfaction or dissapointment is so slight that the whole sentence is not at all negative.
When I was a kid, I could not remember how many times that my parents and my teachers used to tell me that I should "jiayou" because they thought that I wasn't working hard enough, my grade was a little bit low to their expectation, I was spending more time in computer gaming etc.
They would say something like
"Look at your grade, you should "jiayou" blah blah blah."
Because that I am from the region of Shanghai, I could imagine the scene in which the Shanghainese ayi was saying that word, I might be wrong though.
In your case, mon ami, wether that shanghainese ayi is dissapointed a little or she simply wanted to encourage you is not determined. It all depends on the context, intonation, and stress/accent. But anyway, a lot shanghainese ayi should really mind their own business.
I believe that in China people sometimes use "jiayou" to express his or her slight dissatisfaction or dissapointment.
ATTENTION: the level of dissatisfaction or dissapointment is so slight that the whole sentence is not at all negative.
When I was a kid, I could not remember how many times that my parents and my teachers used to tell me that I should "jiayou" because they thought that I wasn't working hard enough, my grade was a little bit low to their expectation, I was spending more time in computer gaming etc.
They would say something like
"Look at your grade, you should "jiayou" blah blah blah."
Because that I am from the region of Shanghai, I could imagine the scene in which the Shanghainese ayi was saying that word, I might be wrong though.
In your case, mon ami, wether that shanghainese ayi is dissapointed a little or she simply wanted to encourage you is not determined. It all depends on the context, intonation, and stress/accent. But anyway, a lot shanghainese ayi should really mind their own business.
Cantonese, Hokkien
This has recently been discussed.
I'm sure this thread will give you much inspiration:
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=1464425
I'm sure this thread will give you much inspiration:
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=1464425
Mandarin/Singlish
The only literal way to use this would be to be at a petrol kiosk.
"Aye,加油。加到满满哦。"
But if you were to use metaphorically,like we are supposed to,it would be to cheer someone or a group onward.
The correct pinyin would be jiāyóu.
But we usually scream our lungs out when saying this so it would sound like jiàyóu!!!!But you know better.
"Aye,加油。加到满满哦。"
But if you were to use metaphorically,like we are supposed to,it would be to cheer someone or a group onward.
The correct pinyin would be jiāyóu.
But we usually scream our lungs out when saying this so it would sound like jiàyóu!!!!But you know better.
I've actually had this explained to me (by a Hong Kong-chinese friend) as "Put oil in/on it", as in: Putting oil in/on the gears of a machine, to make it run smoother. (Or in the fastenings of a door, to make it stop squeaking, etc.)
Noticed no-one has explained it like that above; though I'd contribute.
Noticed no-one has explained it like that above; though I'd contribute.
