加油

jiā yóu
HSK 2Verb (动)

Basic Meaning

v
The literal usage. For example, you can use it at a 加油站 (gas station).
to refuel; to add fuel (e.g., gasoline, lubricant)
添加燃料油、润滑油等。
Words:
加油站加油机加油车加油泵加油口
Sentences:
  1. 在(zài)上(shàng)高(gāo)速(sù)公(gōng)路(lù)之(zhī)前(qián)，我(wǒ)们(men)最(zuì)好(hǎo)先(xiān)去(qù)加(jiā)油(yóu)站(zhàn)给(gěi)车(chē)加(jiā)油(yóu)。
    Before getting on the highway, we'd better go to the gas station to refuel the car first.
  2. 飞(fēi)机(jī)正(zhèng)在(zài)加(jiā)油(yóu)，请(qǐng)乘(chéng)客(kè)们(men)在(zài)候(hòu)机(jī)厅(tīng)稍(shāo)等(děng)。
    The airplane is refueling; please wait in the departure lounge, passengers.
v
The metaphorical usage. A very common cheer of encouragement.
to cheer someone on; to make an extra effort; to go for it
比喻加一把劲儿，进一步努力。
Words:
加油冲刺加油奋斗加油学习加油工作
Synonyms:
鼓舞打气激励鼓劲加劲助威
Sentences:
  1. 明(míng)天(tiān)就(jiù)要(yào)考(kǎo)试(shì)了(le)，我(wǒ)们(men)一(yì)起(qǐ)加(jiā)油(yóu)学(xué)习(xí)吧(ba)！
    We have an exam tomorrow, let's study hard together! Go for it!
  2. 比(bǐ)赛(sài)还(hái)剩(shèng)最(zuì)后(hòu)一(yì)分(fēn)钟(zhōng)了(le)，运(yùn)动(dòng)员(yuán)们(men)都(dōu)在(zài)为(wèi)队(duì)友(yǒu)加(jiā)油(yóu)。
    There's only one minute left in the game, and all the athletes are cheering on their teammates.

Characters Breakdown

HSK 2
jiā加

add; plus

HSK 2
yóu油

oil; fat; slippery