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搜救 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
搜救sōujiùsearch and rescueHSK 7, unknown, 23 strokes, Very Hard
sōujiù(sou1jiu4)sou jiu T1
  1. 1search and rescue
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March 24, 2026

搜救sōujiù(sou1jiu4)

搜救 (sōu jiù) refers to the coordinated efforts of searching for and providing assistance to individuals in distress, typically in emergency situations such as natural disasters or accidents. This term is commonly used in contexts related to public safety, disaster response, and humanitarian efforts.

Strokes23DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In China, the importance of search and rescue operations is highlighted during natural disasters, such as earthquakes, where rapid response teams are crucial in saving lives. The national emphasis on preparedness reflects the collective memory of past disasters.

Memory Tip

Imagine a superhero named 'Sou' who is always on the lookout (搜) for people in need (救). The character '搜' looks like someone searching with a magnifying glass, while '救' has a hand reaching out to help. Together, they embody the spirit of search and rescue.

Meanings of 搜救

sōujiù(sou1jiu4)
1search and rescue
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About 搜救

搜救Simplified
23Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 搜救

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AI Study Notes for 搜救

Quick Contrast

搜寻 (sōuxún) vs 搜救 (sōujiù): use 搜寻 when the focus is solely on searching without the implication of providing assistance.

Usage Notes

Be cautious of the tone when pronouncing '搜救'; using the wrong tone can change its meaning entirely. This term is primarily used in formal contexts, often linked with government or emergency services. Common collocations include '搜救队' (search and rescue team) and '搜救行动' (search and rescue operation).

HSK Study Tips

While '搜救' is not a specific HSK word, it relates to HSK vocabulary concerning emergency situations and public safety. Students should focus on related terms like '救援' (rescue) and '紧急' (emergency) to enhance their understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '搜救' with '救助' (jiù zhù), which means 'to assist' but does not imply a search. For example, saying '我们去救助他' (Wǒmen qù jiùzhù tā) when '搜救' is more appropriate can misrepresent the urgency of the situation.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 搜救

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Component Characters

搜sōuto search
HSK 512 strokes扌
View full entry
救jiùaid, help; to rescue, to save
HSK 511 strokes攵
View full entry

How to say search and rescue in Chinese

“search and rescue” in Chinese is搜救sōujiù

搜救 (sōu jiù) refers to the coordinated efforts of searching for and providing assistance to individuals in distress, typically in emergency situations such as natural disasters or accidents. This term is commonly used in contexts related to public safety, disaster response, and humanitarian efforts.

When to use 搜救

Be cautious of the tone when pronouncing '搜救'; using the wrong tone can change its meaning entirely. This term is primarily used in formal contexts, often linked with government or emergency services. Common collocations include '搜救队' (search and rescue team) and '搜救行动' (search and rescue operation).

搜救 or something close to it

搜寻 (sōuxún) vs 搜救 (sōujiù): use 搜寻 when the focus is solely on searching without the implication of providing assistance.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '搜救' with '救助' (jiù zhù), which means 'to assist' but does not imply a search. For example, saying '我们去救助他' (Wǒmen qù jiùzhù tā) when '搜救' is more appropriate can misrepresent the urgency of the situation.

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搜
救

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Frequently Asked Questions about 搜救

It is typically used in the context of emergencies like natural disasters, missing persons cases, or any situation requiring immediate assistance.

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