Chinese Character: 救
1. Character Basics
Radical: 攵/wén (表示击打、操作)
Stroke Count: 11
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jiù (fourth tone)
3. Meaning
save, rescue, help, aid
4. Common Words
- 救命 (jiù mìng) - save life, help!
- 救援 (jiù yuán) - rescue, relief
- 救火 (jiù huǒ) - put out a fire, firefighting
- 救生 (jiù shēng) - lifesaving
- 救助 (jiù zhù) - help, assist, rescue
- 急救 (jí jiù) - first aid
5. Grammar & Usage
As a verb: 救 is primarily used as a transitive verb, e.g., 救孩子 (save the child)
Common structures: 救+人/物 (save+person/thing), e.g., 救伤员 (save the wounded)
In compound verbs: 抢救 (rescue), 挽救 (save, salvage), 解救 (liberate)
Idiomatic usage: 救命恩人 (life-saver), 救火队员 (firefighter)
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, saving lives is considered one of the most virtuous acts
The concept of 救死扶伤 (saving the dying and healing the wounded) is highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine
There are many folk tales and historical stories about heroes who risked their lives to save others
Confucian teachings emphasize the importance of helping those in need
Modern Chinese society has a strong tradition of volunteer rescue services and disaster relief efforts
7. Example Sentence
Chinese: 他跳进水里救了那个孩子。
Pinyin: Tā tiào jìn shuǐ lǐ jiù le nàge hái zi.
Translation: He jumped into the water and saved that child.
8. Memory Tips
The character 救 consists of 求 (qiú - seek, ask) and 攵 (wén - action/operation)
Think of 求 (seeking) combined with 攵 (action) to represent the act of "seeking to take action to save"
The character has 11 strokes
Notice that the right part 攵 is a common radical for action verbs
Remember that 救 (jiù) sounds similar to 旧 (jiù), but they have different meanings and structures