加 meaning and stroke order
To add; (math.) plus; to increase; to augment
How to write 加, stroke by stroke
5 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Meaning of 加
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to add
- (math.) plus
- to increase; to augment
- (used before a disyllabic verb, often after an adverb like 不[bu4], 大[da4], 稍[shao1] etc, to indicate that the action applies to sth previously mentioned, as in 稍加改良[shao1 jia1 gai3 liang2] "make some minor improvements to (it)")
How 加 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. Supporting a cause with the strength 力 of one's words 口.
Radical: 力 (strength), shared by 44 characters on this site.
How to remember 加
加 puts strength 力 (lì) next to a mouth 口 (kǒu). Think of adding the power of your words to support someone, which is how you add to or increase something.
加 (jiā) means to add or increase, and in math it means plus. It appears in many common words like 参加 (cānjiā, to take part), 增加 (zēngjiā, to increase) and 加油 (jiāyóu, to refuel, or to cheer someone on). Example: 二加三等于五。(Èr jiā sān děngyú wǔ.) Two plus three equals five.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes write the left part as 刀 (dāo, knife) instead of 力 (lì). The 力 stroke pokes up through the top, while 刀 does not. Also keep the 口 on the right, not the left.
Common words with 加
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 参加 | cānjiā | to participate; to take part; to join | HSK 2 |
| 加油 | jiāyóu | to add oil; to top up with gas; to refuel; to accelerate; to step on the gas | HSK 2 |
| 更加 | gèngjiā | more (than sth else); even more | HSK 3 |
| 增加 | zēngjiā | to raise; to increase | HSK 3 |
| 加强 | jiāqiáng | to reinforce; to strengthen; to enhance | HSK 3 |
| 加快 | jiākuài | to accelerate; to speed up; to hasten | HSK 3 |
| 加工 | jiāgōng | to process; processing | HSK 3 |
| 加入 | jiārù | to become a member; to join | HSK 4 |
| 加油站 | jiāyóuzhàn | gas station | HSK 4 |
| 加班 | jiābān | to work overtime | HSK 4 |
| 加上 | jiāshàng | to add; plus; in addition; moreover | HSK 5 |
| 加速 | jiāsù | to accelerate; to speed up; to expedite | HSK 5 |
| 加以 | jiāyǐ | (formal) to apply; to carry out; to take action to (do sth) (used before a disyllabic verb | HSK 5 |
| 加热 | jiārè | to heat | HSK 5 |
加 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 加
Learning 加 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 加
How many strokes are in 加?
加 is written with 5 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 加 mean?
加 (jiā) means to add; (math.) plus; to increase; to augment. A common word with it is 参加 (cānjiā), meaning "to participate; to take part; to join".
How do you pronounce 加?
加 is pronounced jiā, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 加?
The radical of 加 is 力, which carries the idea of "strength". Dictionaries list 加 under this radical.
Is 加 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 加 is part of the HSK 2 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 2.
Why do people shout 加油 at sports games?
加油 (jiāyóu) literally means to add oil or fuel. People use it to mean 'come on' or 'keep going' when cheering for someone in a game, an exam or any hard task.
What does 加 mean in phrases like 稍加 or 不加?
Before a two-syllable verb, 加 shows that the action is applied to something already mentioned. For example, 稍加改良 (shāo jiā gǎiliáng) means to make some small improvements to it, and 不加思考 (bù jiā sīkǎo) means without thinking about it.