照顾

• Pinyin: zhào gù
• Hanzi breakdown: 照 = 日 (sun) + 召 (to summon) + 灬 (fire); 顾 = 雇 (to hire) + 页 (head/face)

Meaning

To take care of; to look after. To give attention and care to someone or something.

Commonly used for caring for family members, especially children, elderly, or sick people. Can also mean 'to patronize' a business in polite speech. Often heard in requests like 请多照顾.

Examples

1. 妈妈在家照顾生病的弟弟。 Mom is at home taking care of her sick younger brother.
2. 谢谢你一直照顾我。 Thank you for always looking after me.
3. 他每天照顾家里的小狗。 He takes care of the family dog every day.

Usage Guide

Context: family, everyday

Tone: caring

Do Say

• 请帮我照顾一下孩子。(Please help me look after the child.)
• 他照顾奶奶照顾得很好。(He takes very good care of grandma.)

Don't Say

• 照顾好你的作业。(Don't use 照顾 for tasks or homework — use 做好 or 完成. 照顾 is for people and living things.)

Origin & History

Compound of 照 (to look at, to shine on) and 顾 (to care for, to look back), together meaning 'to watch over and care for.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal