Usage note
加油常用于鼓励他人或自己，特别是在做某件事情之前。
jiā yóu cháng yòng yú gǔlì tā rén huò zì jǐ, kěshì dàbèi zài zuò mǒu jiàn shì qíng zhī qián.
加油 is often used to encourage others or oneself, especially before doing something.
Context note
加油常见于运动比赛、学习考试、工作项目等场合。
jiā yóu cháng jiàn yú yùndòng bǐsài, xuéxí kǎoshì, gōngzuò xiàngmù děng chǎngkǒu.
加油 is commonly found in sports competitions, exams, work projects, and other situations.
5 examples
明天考试，加油！
míng tiān kǎo shì， jiā yóu！
There's an exam tomorrow, cheer up!
你真棒，继续加油！
nǐ zhēn bàng， jì xù jiā yóu！
You're great, keep going and cheer up!
比赛快开始了，大家加油！
bǐ sài kuài kāi shǐ le， dà jiā jiā yóu！
The game is about to start, everyone cheer up!
妈妈说要努力学习，加油哦！
mā ma shuō yào nǔ lì xué xí， jiā yóu ò！
Mom says to study hard, cheer up!
你做得很好，再接再厉加油！
nǐ zuò dé hěn hǎo， zài jiē zài lì jiā yóu！
You did very well, keep it up and cheer up!
5 mini stories
小明今天考试考得很好，妈妈说他真聪明。爸爸对他说：加油，继续努力！
xiǎo míng jīn tiān kǎo shì kǎo dé hěn hǎo， mā ma shuō tā zhēn cōng ming。 bà ba duì tā shuō： jiā yóu， jì xù nǔ lì！
Xiao Ming did very well on today's exam. His mom said he was really smart. His dad told him: cheer up, keep working hard!
小红参加了一场跑步比赛，她跑得很快。观众们为她加油。
xiǎo hóng cān jiā le yì chǎng pǎo bù bǐ sài， tā pǎo dé hěn kuài。 guān zhòng men wèi tā jiā yóu。
Xiao Hong participated in a running race and ran very fast. The audience cheered for her.
老师布置了一个大项目，全班同学一起努力完成。老师说：加油！我们一定可以成功！
lǎo shī bù zhì le yí gè dà xiàng mù， quán bān tóng xué yì qǐ nǔ lì wán chéng。 lǎo shī shuō： jiā yóu！ wǒ men yí dìng kě yǐ chéng gōng！
The teacher assigned a big project, the whole class worked hard to complete it together. The teacher said: cheer up! We will definitely succeed.
小华在学习上遇到了困难，他感到很沮丧。他的朋友说：加油！你一定可以克服的！
xiǎo huá zài xué xí shàng yù dào le kùn nán， tā gǎn dào hěn jǔ sàng。 tā de péng yǒu shuō： jiā yóu！ nǐ yí dìng kě yǐ kè fú de！
Xiao Hua encountered difficulties in his studies and felt very discouraged. His friend said: cheer up! You can definitely overcome them.
小李参加了一个歌唱比赛，他紧张得不得了。他的家人说：加油！你是最棒的！
xiǎo lǐ cān jiā le yí gè gē chàng bǐ sài， tā jǐn zhāng dé bù dé liǎo。 tā de jiā rén shuō： jiā yóu！ nǐ shì zuì bàng de！
Xiao Li participated in a singing competition and was extremely nervous. His family said: cheer up! You're the best!
Mini dialogue
比赛加油
A
明天有跑步比赛，我有点紧张。
Míngtiān yǒu pǎobù bǐsài, wǒ yǒudiǎn jǐnzhāng.
There's a running race tomorrow, I'm a bit nervous.
B
别紧张，加油！你一定能赢。
Bié jǐnzhāng, jiā yóu! Nǐ yīdìng néng yíng.
Don't be nervous, cheer up! You can definitely win.
考试鼓励
A
这次考试很难，我怕考不好。
Zhè cì kǎoshì hěn nán, wǒ pà kǎo bù hǎo.
This exam is very hard, I'm afraid I won't do well.
B
相信自己，加油！好好复习就行。
Xiāngxìn zìjǐ, jiā yóu! Hǎohǎo fùxí jiù xíng.
Believe in yourself, you can do it! Just review well.
Related words and contrasts
related
努力
nǔlì
work hard
加油 is used to cheer someone on, while 努力 means to make an effort.
related
支持
zhīchí
support
To support someone, similar to the encouraging spirit of 加油.