Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
援yuán(yuan2)
The character 援 (yuán) means to help or assist someone, often in a context that implies providing support or resources. It is commonly used in both formal and informal situations, particularly in discussions about aid or assistance in various fields, such as humanitarian efforts or support in education.
Strokes12Radical扌Frequency#11705DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of helping others is deeply rooted in Confucian values, where community support and collective welfare are highly regarded. The use of 援 is common in government and NGO contexts when discussing aid during disasters or poverty alleviation.
Memory Tip
Imagine a helping hand (the radical 扌 which represents 'hand') reaching out to assist someone in need. The character 援 looks like a hand (扌) giving support to a person (元), symbolizing the act of helping. Remember 'yuán' sounds like 'yarn' – weaving a connection of support.
Meanings of 援
yuán(yuan2)
1to help
2to assist
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 援 means.
About 援
援Simplified
12Strokes
扌Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#11705Frequency Rank
Podcast: 援
Podcast: 援
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 援
Quick Contrast
援 (yuán) vs 帮 (bāng) — use 援 for formal or resource-based assistance, while 帮 is more casual and general.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 援 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. While it can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is often found in written language related to assistance or support. Common collocations include 援助 (yuánzhù, aid) and 援引 (yuányǐn, to quote).
HSK Study Tips
Although 援 is not in the official HSK levels, it can be useful to students at HSK 4 and above. Focus on its usage in phrases related to help and support, as this character can enhance vocabulary in discussions about social issues or literature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 援 with 帮 (bāng), thinking they are interchangeable, but 援 carries a more formal connotation of assistance. For example, saying '我援他' (I help him) should be corrected to '我帮助他' (I help him) in casual conversation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 援
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 援 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 援 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 援?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 援 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 援 (yuán) means to help or assist someone, often in a context that implies providing support or resources. It is commonly used in both formal and informal situations, particularly in discussions about aid or assistance in various fields, such as humanitarian efforts or support in education.
When to use 援
Be cautious not to confuse 援 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. While it can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is often found in written language related to assistance or support. Common collocations include 援助 (yuánzhù, aid) and 援引 (yuányǐn, to quote).
援 or something close to it
援 (yuán) vs 帮 (bāng) — use 援 for formal or resource-based assistance, while 帮 is more casual and general.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 援 with 帮 (bāng), thinking they are interchangeable, but 援 carries a more formal connotation of assistance. For example, saying '我援他' (I help him) should be corrected to '我帮助他' (I help him) in casual conversation.
Write 援
援
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 援 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 援
援 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
增____部队中仅有约1/3是常备军。
Only about a third of the reinforcements will be regular troops.
The civil war is obstructing distribution of famine relief by aid agencies.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 援?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 援
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, assistance often emphasizes individualism, whereas in Chinese culture, it reflects a communal responsibility to support one another.
Word Family of 援
Words Containing This Character20
支援zhīyuánto support
援助yuánzhùto help
救援jiùyuánto save
增援to reinforce
援yuánto help
外援wàiyuánexternal help
后援back-up後援
援引to quote
求援to ask for help
抗美援朝Resist US, help North Korea (1950s slogan)
援救to save
孤立无援isolated and without help孤立無援
声援to support (a cause)聲援
援兵reinforcement
援藏pro-Tibet
攀援climbing (plant)
驰援to rush to the rescue馳援
援用to quote
围城打援to besiege and strike the relief force (idiom); strategy of surrounding a unit to entice the enemy to reinforce, then striking the new troops圍城打援
请援to request help請援
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 援
What does 支援 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 援
You can say '我们需要援助' (We need assistance) or '他援引了很多资料' (He quoted a lot of materials).
Yes, 援 is commonly used in formal contexts, especially in discussions about aid, support, or quoting sources.
Synonyms include 帮助 (bāngzhù, help) and 支援 (zhīyuán, support).
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 援?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
