支持 zhīchí sustain
sustain; hold out; support; stand by (e.g. international support)
How to remember 支持: 支 branch + 持 maintain = sustain.
Characters
How it is used
- To support/back - a person, view, or cause - 我支持你的决定 (wǒ zhīchí nǐ de juédìng) I support your decision; also tech 'to support' - 这个软件支持中文 (zhège ruǎnjiàn zhīchí Zhōngwén) this software supports Chinese.
- Contrast 帮助 (bāngzhù, to help with a concrete task) and 赞成 (zànchéng, to approve of): 支持 is standing behind someone/something, morally or actively.
- Also a noun: 得到支持 (dédào zhīchí) receive support.
Example sentences
- 没人支持她。 Méi rén zhīchí tā.Nobody supported her.
- 民主支持自由。 Mínzhǔ zhīchí zìyóu.Democracy encourages freedom.
- 我精神上支持你。 Wǒ jīngshén shang zhīchí nǐ.I'll give you mental support.