助手

• Pinyin: zhù shǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 助 = 且 (moreover) + 力 (strength) — to help; 手 = pictograph of a hand

Meaning

Assistant; helper. A person who provides help or support, often in a more hands-on or practical capacity.

More general than 助理, which is typically office-based. 助手 can refer to helpers in various contexts including research, cooking, photography, or any activity requiring assistance.

Examples

1. 他是这位著名导演的得力助手。 He is the capable assistant of this famous director.
2. 我需要找个助手来帮我整理这些资料。 I need to find an assistant to help me organize these materials.
3. 智能手机已经成为人们生活中的好助手。 Smartphones have become great assistants in people's daily lives.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, everyday, technology

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 她是我实验室里最好的助手。(She is the best assistant in my lab.)
• 这个软件是办公的好助手。(This software is a great assistant for office work.)

Don't Say

• 正式场合用助手代替助理 (In formal business contexts, don't use 助手 for official assistant positions — use 助理 instead)

Origin & History

助 (to help, to assist) + 手 (hand). Literally 'helping hand' — one who lends a hand.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal