助威 (zhù wēi) literally means 'to assist strength' — '助' (zhù) means 'to help' or 'to support', and '威' (wēi) means 'power', 'might', or 'prestige'. Together, the phrase expresses actively lending one’s voice or energy to boost someone else’s morale or confidence, especially in competitive or public situations. It carries a sense of collective encouragement — often done aloud, with enthusiasm, and usually in groups.

This verb is most commonly used in contexts like sports events, school competitions, performances, or even political rallies. Unlike generic 'cheering' (e.g., 欢呼 huānhū), 助威 implies intentional, purposeful support aimed at strengthening the performer’s or team’s spirit. It is frequently used in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in news reports about events and in everyday conversation when describing group encouragement activities.