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养活 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
养活yǎnghuoto provide forHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #7700, Very Hard
养活yǎnghuoto keep (animals, a family etc)HSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #7700, Very Hard
养活yǎnghuoto raise animalsHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #7700, Very Hard
养活yǎnghuoto feed and clotheHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #7700, Very Hard
养活yǎnghuosupportHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #7700, Very Hard
养活yǎnghuothe necessities of lifeHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #7700, Very Hard
养活yǎnghuoto give birthHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #7700, Very Hard
yǎnghuo(yang3huo5)yang huo T3
  1. 1to provide for
  2. 2to keep (animals, a family etc)
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March 24, 2026

养活(養活)yǎnghuo(yang3huo5)

养活 (yǎnghuó) means to provide for someone or something, usually referring to the act of supporting a family or raising animals. It encompasses the idea of feeding, clothing, and ensuring the well-being of those dependent on you. This term is often used in contexts involving familial responsibility or animal husbandry.

Strokes18Frequency#7700DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of providing for one's family is deeply ingrained, reflecting traditional values of filial piety and responsibility. The importance of养活 ties into the broader societal expectation that individuals support their relatives, particularly elders.

Memory Tip

Imagine a farmer (养) nurturing his crops and animals (活) to ensure they thrive. Picture him feeding the animals and watching them grow strong and healthy. The character 养 suggests nurturing, while 活 conveys life, together symbolizing the act of providing life-sustaining support.

Meanings of 养活

yǎnghuo(yang3huo5)
1to provide for
2to keep (animals, a family etc)
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About 养活

养活Simplified
養活Traditional
18Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 养活

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AI Study Notes for 养活

Quick Contrast

养 (yǎng) vs 抚养 (fǔyǎng) — use 养活 when emphasizing providing for basic needs, while 抚养 focuses on the nurturing and upbringing aspect.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 养活 with just 养 (to raise) or 活 (to live), as it specifically implies the act of providing for. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more commonly used in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 养活家庭 (support a family) and 养活动物 (raise animals).

HSK Study Tips

While 养活 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, its components can help learners with related words like 养 (raise) and 活 (live). Focus on understanding how 养活 combines these ideas to convey support and sustenance, which is essential in both familial and agricultural contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 养活 when they mean to simply state 'raise' (养) without the implication of providing. For example, saying 养活动物 (raise animals) is incorrect if not implying support; it should be just 养动物.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 养活

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Component Characters

养yǎngto raise (animals)
HSK 39 strokes丷
View full entry
活huóto live
HSK 49 strokes氵
View full entry

How to say to provide for in Chinese

“to provide for” in Chinese is养活yǎnghuo

养活 (yǎnghuó) means to provide for someone or something, usually referring to the act of supporting a family or raising animals. It encompasses the idea of feeding, clothing, and ensuring the well-being of those dependent on you. This term is often used in contexts involving familial responsibility or animal husbandry.

When to use 养活

Be careful not to confuse 养活 with just 养 (to raise) or 活 (to live), as it specifically implies the act of providing for. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more commonly used in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 养活家庭 (support a family) and 养活动物 (raise animals).

养活 or something close to it

养 (yǎng) vs 抚养 (fǔyǎng) — use 养活 when emphasizing providing for basic needs, while 抚养 focuses on the nurturing and upbringing aspect.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 养活 when they mean to simply state 'raise' (养) without the implication of providing. For example, saying 养活动物 (raise animals) is incorrect if not implying support; it should be just 养动物.

Write 养活

养
活

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Frequently Asked Questions about 养活

Yes, it can be used to refer to raising animals or even plants, as long as the context involves providing for their needs.

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