‘照顾’ (zhàogù) is a verb meaning 'to take care of' or 'to look after' someone or something that needs attention, support, or protection. The first character 照 (zhào) conveys ideas of illumination, observation, or attending to — like shining light on a situation; the second character 顾 (gù) means 'to turn one’s attention toward' or 'to attend to'. Together, they form a compound expressing active, responsible attention — often involving effort, time, and empathy. It’s commonly used for caring for children, elderly relatives, sick people, or even pets.

This word carries a warm, dutiful connotation and implies ongoing responsibility rather than a single action. It’s neutral in register — appropriate in both spoken and written Chinese — and frequently appears in contexts related to family duties, healthcare, education, and daily life. Unlike more formal terms like ‘护理’ (hùlǐ, 'nursing') or casual ones like ‘管’ (guǎn, 'to manage'), ‘照顾’ strikes a balanced tone: respectful, caring, and widely understood.