Today’s word of the day is 加 (jiā) which means ‘to add’. Let’s practice by making different words, phrases, and sentences with 加 (jiā).
加班 (jiā bān) To work overtime
The first word is 加班 (jiā bān) which means ‘to work overtime’. Let’s look at each character of this word, 加 means ‘to add’ and 班 (bān) means ‘shift’. A way of using it in a sentence is: 你今天加班吗？ (Nǐ jīntiān jiābān ma?) Are you working overtime today?
参加 (cān jiā) To participate
Another word we can create with 加 (jiā) is 参加 (cān jiā). This means ‘to participate’. A way of using it in a sentence is 我最近参加了一个社交活动。(Wǒ zuìjìn cānjiāle yīgè shèjiāo huódòng.) I recently participated in a networking event.
加热 (jiā rè) To heat up
Finally, we can create the word 加热 (jiā rè) which means ‘to heat up'. The 热here means hot, so it literally means ‘to add heat’. A way of using it in a sentence is 请帮我把米饭加热一下。(Qǐng bāng wǒ bǎ mǐfàn jiārè yīxià.) Can you heat up the rice for me please? Sometimes when you go into a convenience store in China, you can ask the store clerk this and he/she will help you put your rice into the microwave.