求救

• Pinyin: qiú jiù
• Hanzi breakdown: 求 = 求 (seek/request); 救 = 求 + 攵(rescue/save; hand with implement driving away danger)

Meaning

To call for help; to seek rescue in a dangerous or urgent situation. Implies an urgent, distress-driven plea for assistance when one's life or safety is threatened.

求救信号 (distress signal), 发出求救 (send out a call for help), 向外界求救 (seek help from the outside world). Used in emergencies, disasters, and life-threatening situations. More urgent than 求助 (seek help), which can be used for non-emergency assistance.

Examples

1. 溺水者在水中拼命挥舞双臂，绝望地向岸边的人们发出撕心裂肺的求救呼喊。 The drowning person flailed desperately in the water, crying out to the people on shore in a heart-wrenching plea for help.
2. 被困山洞多日后，探险队员终于用无线电向外界发出了求救信号。 After being trapped in a cave for days, the expedition members finally sent a distress signal to the outside world by radio.
3. 她在手机快要没电之际匆忙拨打了急救电话，发出了最后一次求救。 With her phone almost out of battery, she hurriedly dialed emergency services and made one last call for help.

Usage Guide

Context: emergency, disaster, safety, narrative

Tone: urgent

Do Say

• 消防员收到被困居民从窗口传递出的求救字条后，立即组织紧急救援行动。(Firefighters received a distress note passed through a window by trapped residents and immediately organised an emergency rescue operation.)
• 在野外遭遇险情时，向过往飞机或船只发出国际通用的SOS求救信号，是最有效的自救手段之一。(When facing danger in the wilderness, sending the internationally recognised SOS distress signal to passing aircraft or vessels is one of the most effective means of self-rescue.)

Don't Say

• 我向朋友求救，因为找不到手机充电器 — use 求助 or 拜托 for minor everyday requests; 求救 implies genuine danger or urgent crisis, not a trivial inconvenience

Origin & History

求 (seek/request) + 救 (rescue/save) — to seek rescue; to request being saved

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal