HSK 5, v, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #422, Medium
救
jiù
to assist
HSK 5, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #422, Medium
jiù(jiu4) T4
1aid, help; to rescue, to save
2to assist
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March 24, 2026
救(捄)jiù(jiu4)
The character 救 (jiù) means to rescue, save, or help someone in need. It is commonly used in contexts involving emergencies, such as rescuing someone from danger or providing assistance during a crisis. The nuance often implies a sense of urgency and importance in the act of saving or aiding.
Strokes11Radical攵Frequency#422DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of rescuing or helping others is deeply valued, often reflected in sayings and stories. For instance, the concept of 救人 (saving people) aligns with the Confucian ideal of benevolence and moral duty.
Memory Tip
Imagine a life-saving lifeguard (救) jumping into the water to save a drowning person. The radical '水' (water) hints at rescue situations involving water, while the pronunciation 'jiù' sounds like 'jump'—an action associated with urgent rescue.
Meanings of 救
jiù(jiu4)
1aid, help; to rescue, to save
2to assist
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 救
救Simplified
捄Traditional
11Strokes
攵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#422Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 救
Podcast: 救
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AI Study Notes for 救
Quick Contrast
救 (jiù) vs 帮 (bāng): use 救 when the context involves a critical or life-threatening situation, while 帮 is more general and can refer to any form of assistance.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a life-saving lifeguard (救) jumping into the water to save a drowning person. The radical '水' (water) hints at rescue situations involving water, while the pronunciation 'jiù' sounds like 'jump'—an action associated with urgent rescue.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone; 救 is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone), which can change the meaning if mispronounced. It often appears in compound phrases such as 救护 (to rescue and protect) and 救命 (to save a life). Use it in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure clarity regarding urgency.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 救 connects with other verbs related to assistance and emergency, such as 帮助 (bāngzhù - to help) and 救助 (jiùzhù - to aid). Focus on its combination with other characters to enhance your vocabulary related to helping and rescuing.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of rescuing or helping others is deeply valued, often reflected in sayings and stories. For instance, the concept of 救人 (saving people) aligns with the Confucian ideal of benevolence and moral duty.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 救 with 旧 (jiù - old) due to similar pronunciation. Ensure you remember the context of rescue to avoid this mix-up. For example, saying '我救旧的书' (I save the old book) is incorrect; it should be '我救了人' (I saved a person).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 救
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Grammar Patterns of 救
救 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 2 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.
What I've tried very subtly to do is to reclaim language.
Cultural Notes for 救
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of rescuing or helping others is deeply valued, often reflected in sayings and stories. For instance, the concept of 救人 (saving people) aligns with the Confucian ideal of benevolence and moral duty.
Word Family of 救
Words Containing This Character20
救jiùto save
拯救zhěngjiùto save
救命jiùmìngSave me!
救援jiùyuánto save
救助jiùzhùaid
抢救qiǎngjiùto rescue搶救
救护车jiùhùchēambulance救護車
急救jíjiùfirst aid
挽救wǎnjiùto save
解救jiějiùto rescue
救治jiùzhìto provide critical care (to a patient or a diseased plant)
救灾jiùzāito relieve disaster救災
救济jiùjìemergency relief救濟
营救yíngjiùto rescue營救
求救qiújiùto cry for help
救护to rescue救護
补救bǔjiùto remedy補救
救世主the Savior (in Christianity)
获救to rescue獲救
扑救firefighting撲救
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 救 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 救
Some synonyms for 救 (jiù) include 援助 (yuánzhù), which means 'to provide aid,' and 救助 (jiùzhù), which means 'to assist or help.' These words can often be used interchangeably depending on the context.
Yes, 救 (jiù) is commonly used in everyday conversation, especially in contexts involving emergencies or helping others. It can refer to both physical rescue and emotional support.
救 (jiù) means 'to assist' or 'to rescue.' It is commonly used in contexts where help or aid is provided to someone in need, such as saving a person from danger or offering assistance.
You can use 救 (jiù) in sentences like '我去救他' (wǒ qù jiù tā), which means 'I am going to save him.' It’s often paired with other words to emphasize the type of assistance or rescue being performed.
Some common phrases include 救命 (jiùmìng - save a life) and 救护车 (jiùhùchē - ambulance).
Try creating sentences that describe scenarios where someone might need rescue or help, such as '他在水里需要救' (He needs rescue in the water).
While it is often associated with emergencies, 救 can also refer to general assistance in less urgent situations.
