号召

• Pinyin: hào zhào
• Hanzi breakdown: 号 = to call out/number; 召 = to summon

Meaning

To call upon; to appeal; a call to action. Summoning people to a cause.

Used as both verb and noun. Implies rallying people for collective action. Common in political, social, and organizational contexts. Often carries authority.

Examples

1. 政府号召大家节约用水。 The government is calling on everyone to conserve water.
2. 他响应了国家的号召去支援西部建设。 He responded to the nation's call to support development in the western regions.
3. 环保组织发出了保护海洋的号召。 The environmental organization issued a call to protect the oceans.

Usage Guide

Context: political, organizational, social, official

Tone: authoritative

Do Say

• 响应号召。(Respond to the call.)
• 他号召大家捐款。(He called on everyone to donate.)

Don't Say

• 我号召你帮忙 (号召 implies authority and collective action — for personal requests, use 请求 or just 请)

Origin & History

Compound of 号 (to call out, number) + 召 (to summon), meaning to publicly call upon people.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal