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March 24, 2026
助手zhùshǒu(zhu4shou3)
The term '助手' (zhùshǒu) refers to a person who assists or helps someone in their tasks or responsibilities, often in a professional context. Commonly used in workplaces, it denotes roles such as an administrative assistant or a research assistant, emphasizing the supportive nature of the position.
Frequency#2266DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
'助手' highlights the value placed on teamwork and support in Chinese workplaces, reflecting a cultural emphasis on collective achievement over individualism. This is evident in many traditional Chinese proverbs that celebrate cooperation.
Memory Tip
Imagine a helpful robot ('助' sounds like 'zhu' and resembles a person giving help) with a hand ('手' means 'hand') ready to assist you with tasks. Picture this robot working alongside you, making your workload lighter and easier.
Meanings of 助手
zhùshǒu(zhu4shou3)
1assistant
2helper
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 助手
助手Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2266Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 助手
Podcast: 助手
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AI Study Notes for 助手
Quick Contrast
助理 (zhùlǐ) - use '助手' when emphasizing the supportive role, while '助理' often implies a more formal or specialized assistant position.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a helpful robot ('助' sounds like 'zhu' and resembles a person giving help) with a hand ('手' means 'hand') ready to assist you with tasks. Picture this robot working alongside you, making your workload lighter and easier.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using '助手' in formal contexts; it often implies a subordinate role. Common collocations include '行政助手' (administrative assistant) and '研究助手' (research assistant). Remember that the tone for '助' is fourth and for '手' is third, which can be tricky for learners.
HSK Study Tips
As a HSK Level 6 word, '助手' connects with other terms related to professions and roles. Students should focus on using it in sentences about jobs and responsibilities, as it often appears in discussions related to workplace dynamics.
Cultural Note
'助手' highlights the value placed on teamwork and support in Chinese workplaces, reflecting a cultural emphasis on collective achievement over individualism. This is evident in many traditional Chinese proverbs that celebrate cooperation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '助手' with '助手' (zhùshǒu) and '助理' (zhùlǐ), leading to improper usage in context. For example, saying '我需要一个助手来帮我' (I need an assistant to help me) is correct, but using '助理' in a casual context might sound overly formal.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 助手
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Grammar Patterns of 助手
助手 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
首相已听取了她议会____的简要汇报。
The Prime Minister has been briefed by her parliamentary aides.
Example Sentences for 助手 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
首相已听取了她议会助手的简要汇报。
shǒu xiāng yǐ tīng qǔ le tā yì huì zhù shǒu de jiǎn yào huì bào。
The Prime Minister has been briefed by her parliamentary aides.
2
我有两个助手协助经营。
wǒ yǒu liǎng gè zhù shǒu xié zhù jīng yíng。
I have two assistants who help with the admin.
3
他老是记不起把自己阅读时用的放大镜放在什么地方，所以助手们会随身携带备用的。
tā lǎo shì jì bù qǐ bǎ zì jǐ yuè dú shí yòng de fàng dà jìng fàng zài shí mó dì fāng， ， suǒ yǐ zhù shǒu mén huì suí shēn xié dài bèi yòng。
He misplaces his reading glasses with such regularity that aides carry extras.
4
她的助手被警方指控犯有盗窃和欺诈罪。
tā de zhù shǒu bèi jǐng fāng zhǐ kòng fàn yǒu dào qiè hé qī zhà zuì。
Her assistant was accused of theft and fraud by the police.
5
那女助手噘起了嘴。
nà nǚ zhù shǒu juē qǐ le zuǐ。
The assistant pursed her lips.
6
阿米德医生的助手是一位年轻的亚裔护士。
ā mǐ dé yī shēng de zhù shǒu shì yī wèi nián qīng de yà yì hù shì。
Dr Amid was assisted by a young Asian nurse.
7
助手坐在他身旁的一张桌子上埋头打字。
zhù shǒu zuò zài tā shēn páng de yī zhāng zhuō zǐ shàng mái tóu dǎ zì。
An assistant sat typing away at a table beside him.
8
他不得不将向潜在客户测试和展示飞行器的重任交托给一名助手。
tā bù dé bù jiāng xiàng qián zài kè hù cè shì hé zhǎn shì fēi háng qì de zhòng rèn jiāo tuō gěi yī míng zhù shǒu。
He was forced to entrust an assistant with the important task of testing and demonstrating aircraft to prospective customers.
9
他对助手们喊道：“我赢了！我赢了!”
tā duì zhù shǒu mén hǎn dào：“ ：“ wǒ yíng！ le ！ wǒ!”
The huntsman sent a beater ahead to scare out the partridge.
Cultural Notes for 助手
🏮Cultural insight
'助手' highlights the value placed on teamwork and support in Chinese workplaces, reflecting a cultural emphasis on collective achievement over individualism. This is evident in many traditional Chinese proverbs that celebrate cooperation.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the concept of an assistant may emphasize individual skills and independence, whereas in Chinese culture, the role is often seen as part of a collective effort towards a common goal.
Frequently Asked Questions about 助手
Yes, '助手' can refer to both personal and professional assistants, but is more commonly used in professional settings.
'助理' (zhùlǐ) also means assistant but is often used in more formal or higher-level contexts, such as executive assistants.
