佑 yòu to help
to help; to protect; to bless
How to remember 佑: 亻 person + 右 right = to help. An old person with a heavy bag waits at the crossing, and the boy on her right reaches over to help.
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
佑 = 亻 person + 右 right
- 亻 person meaning
- 右 right sound
- 𠂇 left hand
- 口 mouth
An old person with a heavy bag waits at the crossing, and the boy on her right reaches over to help.
How it came to be
The person gives the meaning and the sign for right gives the sound.
How it is used
- To bless and protect, the divine-protection sense: 保佑 (bǎoyòu) (of gods/ancestors) to bless and keep safe.
- Almost always in 保佑; you 求神保佑 (qiú shén bǎoyòu) pray for divine protection.
- Distinct from its homophone 佑's neighbor 右 (right), same sound yòu, different job.