勉励 miǎnlì to encourage
How to remember 勉励: 勉 to endeavor + 励 encourage = to encourage.
Characters
How it is used
- To encourage/spur someone on with warm words - 老师勉励学生努力 (lǎoshī miǎnlì xuésheng nǔlì) the teacher urged the students to work hard.
- Formal and kindly; typically from a senior to a junior (leader, teacher, elder).
- Contrast 鼓励 (gǔlì, encourage, everyday and broad); 勉励 is more solemn and directive.