加

• Pinyin: jiā
• Hanzi breakdown: 加 = 力 (force) + 口 (mouth); originally meant to apply effort, now means to add.

Meaning

To add; to increase; plus. The act of putting more of something or combining quantities.

A very versatile verb meaning to add or increase. Used in math (二加三 — two plus three), cooking (加盐 — add salt), and social media (加微信 — add on WeChat).

Examples

1. 请在咖啡里加一点糖。 Please add a little sugar to the coffee.
2. 二加三等于五。 Two plus three equals five.
3. 你能加我的微信吗？ Can you add me on WeChat?

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, math, social media

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 我不加糖。(I don't add sugar.)
• 请加我微信。(Please add me on WeChat.)

Don't Say

• 不要用加来表示'更' (Don't use 加 to mean 'more' as a comparative — use 更 instead; 加 specifically means to add something)

Origin & History

Composed of 力 (power/force) and 口 (mouth). The original meaning related to applying force, later extended to adding and increasing.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal