加油
Core phraseVery common
Keep it up / You can do it / Come on
What does 加油 mean?
加油 — A versatile encouragement phrase used for exams, sports, work, performances, and difficult moments.
✓You can do it!
✓Keep it up!
✓Come on!
✓Good luck — keep going!
加油 literally relates to adding fuel, but in everyday speech it is a general expression of encouragement.
Character breakdown
Open each character to see its own meanings and vocabulary links.
Real-world examples
1 · Before an exam
A: 我明天考试。
wǒ míngtiān kǎoshì.
A: I have an exam tomorrow.
B: 加油！你可以的。
jiāyóu! nǐ kěyǐ de.
B: You’ve got this! You can do it.
2 · During a race
A: 我快跑不动了。
wǒ kuài pǎo bu dòng le.
A: I can barely keep running.
B: 加油！快到了！
jiāyóu! kuài dào le!
B: Keep going! You’re almost there!
How to pronounce 加油
加油
Tap to hear Standard Mandarin.
jiā1st tone →
yóu2nd tone ↗
Usage notes
✓Natural in sports, school, work, and personal encouragement.
✓Can be said to one person or a whole group.
✓It does not map to one single English phrase; choose the English encouragement that fits the situation.
Base dictionary data: CC-CEDICT · CC BY-SA 4.0.
Context lesson: Original Real Chinese launch content.
Context lesson: Original Real Chinese launch content.