援 means “help, support”

えん · en

Also: abet, save

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

エン

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 12 strokes

The story

A hand (扌) beside two more hands, one reaching down (⺤) and one below (又): picture a chain of arms hauling someone up a cliff. 援 is help from outside: 支援 is support, 援助 aid, and 応援 is cheering, like the drums and brass of a high school baseball 応援団.

Used in 応援 (ouen, cheering/support), 支援 (shien, support/backing), and 援助 (enjo, aid/assistance)

More from Help & Protect

• 護 protect
• 衛 guard
• 救 save
• 養 nourish
• 祉 welfare
• 擁 embrace
• 恩 kindness
• 扶 support
• 保 keep

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.