支持 (zhī chí) is a verb meaning 'to support' — to give encouragement, approval, assistance, or resources to someone or something. The character 支 (zhī) originally meant 'to prop up' or 'to sustain', while 持 (chí) means 'to hold' or 'to maintain'. Together, they convey the idea of actively holding something up — whether a person’s effort, a cause, an opinion, or a project. It’s commonly used in both personal and formal contexts: supporting friends emotionally, backing a policy, funding research, or cheering for a team.

This word often appears in written Chinese and formal speech, but it's also frequent in everyday conversation — especially when expressing solidarity or commitment. It can take direct objects (e.g., 支持他, 支持环保), and is frequently paired with nouns like 决定 (decision), 工作 (work), or 运动 (movement). Unlike the more casual verb 帮助 (to help), 支持 emphasizes alignment with values or goals, not just practical aid.