‘接济’ is a formal or literary verb meaning to provide financial or material assistance to someone in need—often someone who is struggling economically, such as a family member, friend, or community member. The character 接 (jiē) means ‘to receive’ or ‘to connect,’ while 济 (jì) means ‘to help’ or ‘to relieve hardship’; together, they convey the idea of ‘connecting with and relieving another’s distress.’ It implies ongoing or situational support, not one-time charity, and often carries a tone of moral duty or familial responsibility.

This word is commonly used in written Chinese, news reports, historical narratives, or formal speech—not in casual daily conversation, where words like 帮助 (bāngzhù) or 资助 (zīzhù) are more frequent. It typically appears with human subjects (e.g., parents, relatives, charities) helping recipients who face poverty, unemployment, or disaster. While it can describe aid to groups, it rarely applies to non-human entities like animals or machines.