Tricolor Chinese Culture Podcast
Features conversations about what makes Chinese culture unique and how that might impact building deep and meaningful relationships in a Chinese context. It is our hope that this podcast will promote a more nuanced understanding and appreciation for Chinese culture.
Tricolor Chinese Culture Podcast
Beyond Translation: 加油！
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加油 (jiāyóu): Encouragement You Can Feel
What does it really mean when someone in China says 加油?
Often translated as “keep going” or “you can do it,” 加油 is more than just a phrase of encouragement. It shows up in moments of effort, exhaustion, and perseverance—whether on a race course, before an exam, or in the middle of something difficult.
In this episode of our Beyond Translation season, host Stephanie Wendler is joined by Paul Wendler and Lydia Choi to explore how this simple phrase carries such powerful meaning. From quiet beginnings at a marathon to the shared energy of collective encouragement, they reflect on how their understanding of 加油 has grown while living in China—and how it can transform both individual effort and group experience.
Together, they look beyond the translation to discover what 加油 reveals about encouragement, shared perseverance, and the ways people support one another through everyday challenges.
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