支持 (zhīchí)

A versatile word covering both active backing and structural or technical support, widely used in political, business, and everyday contexts.

Meanings

[verb] to support, to back, to endorse
[noun] support, backing

Example Sentences

她得到了家人的全力支持。 Tā dédàole jiārén de quánlì zhīchí. She received the full support of her family.

政府出台政策支持小微企业发展。 Zhèngfǔ chūtái zhèngcè zhīchí xiǎowēi qǐyè fāzhǎn. The government introduced policies to support the development of small businesses.

这款软件支持多种语言界面。 Zhè kuǎn ruǎnjiàn zhīchí duō zhǒng yǔyán jièmiàn. This software supports multiple language interfaces.

没有证据支持这个结论。 Méiyǒu zhèngjù zhīchí zhège jiélùn. There is no evidence to support this conclusion.

我们需要更多资金支持才能完成研究。 Wǒmen xūyào gèng duō zījīn zhīchí cái néng wánchéng yánjiū. We need more financial support to complete the research.

他在演讲中表示支持新的环保法规。 Tā zài yǎnjiǎng zhōng biǎoshì zhīchí xīn de huánbǎo fǎguī. He expressed support for the new environmental regulations in his speech.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
支持政策 (zhīchí zhèngcè)	supportive policy
全力支持 (quánlì zhīchí)	to support wholeheartedly
技术支持 (jìshù zhīchí)	technical support
资金支持 (zījīn zhīchí)	financial backing
表示支持 (biǎoshì zhīchí)	to express support
获得支持 (huòdé zhīchí)	to gain support

Usage Notes

支持 is one of the most frequent words in Chinese public discourse. As a verb it can take a person, organization, policy, or technical system as its object. As a noun it follows measure words like 一种 or adjectives like 全力, 大力, 强有力.

In technical contexts (software, hardware), 支持 translates as "supports" or "is compatible with," which is distinct from its social/political meaning. B2 learners should be comfortable switching between these registers.

Memory Hook

支 looks like a hand holding a branch -- an image of propping something up from below. 持 means to hold. Together they convey "holding something up" -- the essence of support.