补助

• Pinyin: bǔ zhù
• Hanzi breakdown: 补 = 衤(clothing) + 卜, to supplement; 助 = 且 + 力, to help

Meaning

Subsidy; allowance; to subsidize. Financial assistance to supplement income or cover costs.

Can function as both a noun (subsidy/allowance) and a verb (to subsidize). Common in contexts involving government benefits, company allowances, or financial aid. Examples include housing subsidies, meal allowances, and poverty assistance programs.

Examples

1. 政府给低收入家庭发放生活补助。 The government provides living subsidies to low-income families.
2. 公司每个月给员工五百块钱的交通补助。 The company gives employees a 500 yuan monthly transportation allowance.
3. 申请困难学生补助需要提供收入证明。 Applying for financial aid for students in difficulty requires proof of income.

Usage Guide

Context: government, business, welfare

Tone: official

Do Say

• 这笔补助可以帮我们缓解经济压力。(This subsidy can help relieve our financial pressure.)
• 公司补助员工的午餐费用。(The company subsidizes employees' lunch expenses.)

Don't Say

• 不要把'补助'和'补贴'混用 (While similar, 补助 often implies need-based assistance, while 补贴 can be broader — context matters)

Origin & History

Compound of 补 (to supplement) + 助 (to help/assist). Indicates assistance that supplements what one already has.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal