付出

• Pinyin: fù chū
• Hanzi breakdown: 付 = 亻(person) + 寸 (inch/measure) — to hand over; 出 = pictograph of a foot stepping out of an enclosure

Meaning

To pay; to devote; to give of oneself. Refers to investing effort, time, emotion, or resources toward something.

Goes beyond monetary payment to include emotional and physical investment. Often used to describe sacrifice and dedication, especially in relationships, work, and personal growth. Frequently paired with 努力 (effort), 代价 (price/cost), or 心血 (painstaking effort).

Examples

1. 只要付出努力，就一定会有收获。 As long as you put in the effort, there will surely be rewards.
2. 父母为孩子付出了很多。 Parents have given so much for their children.
3. 成功需要长时间的付出和坚持。 Success requires long-term dedication and persistence.

Usage Guide

Context: personal, motivational

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 她为这个项目付出了很多时间。(She devoted a lot of time to this project.)
• 有付出才有回报。(Only with effort comes reward.)

Don't Say

• 我付出了一百块钱 (Don't use 付出 for simple monetary transactions — use 付 or 支付; 付出 implies sacrifice or significant investment of effort)

Origin & History

付 (to hand over, from 亻person + 寸 measure) + 出 (out). Literally handing something outward, extended to mean investing effort, time, or emotion.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal