to pull a cart; to help out with work
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesverb
to pull a cart or carriage from the front or side
Literally refers to an animal (like a horse) assisting in pulling a vehicle.
Zhè这
pǐ匹
mǎ马
nián年
qīng轻
lì力
zhuàng壮
，
shì是
zhuān专
mén门
lā拉
tào套
de的
。
This horse is young and strong, specially used for pulling the cart.
Jiù旧
shí时
nóng农
cūn村
，
niú牛
hé和
mǎ马
dōu都
yào要
lā拉
tào套
gēng耕
dì地
。
In the old countryside, oxen and horses all had to pull plows.
verb
(dialect) to help out; to work for someone; to contribute effort
dialectA metaphorical extension from pulling a cart, meaning to assist someone with labor or effort, often used in northern Chinese dialects.
Tā他
zhè这
rén人
shí实
zai在
，
péng朋
yǒu友
yǒu有
shì事
dōu都
yuàn愿
yì意
qù去
lā拉
tào套
。
He's a reliable person, always willing to help out when friends are in need.
Zhè这
jiā家
diàn店
shēng生
yì意
hǎo好
，
quán全
kào靠
tā他
men们
jǐ几
gè个
lǎo老
huǒ伙
jì计
lā拉
tào套
。
This store's good business relies entirely on the hard work of these few old buddies.