Hanzi Sheets
How to write 加油 — "Go For It / You Can Do It" in Chinese
加油 (jiā yóu) is how you say "go for it / you can do it" in Chinese. “Add fuel!” — the all-purpose cheer before tests, races and recitals. Below is each character with its pinyin and meaning, plus a free tracing worksheet you can print in seconds.
加油 character by character
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning in this phrase |
|---|---|---|
| 加 | jiā | to add |
| 油 | yóu | oil; fuel |
| 加油 | jiā yóu | go for it / you can do it |
Using 加油
加 is “to add” and 油 is “oil/fuel” — 加油 literally says “add fuel”, like stoking an engine. It is the cheering phrase of childhood: parents shout 加油！ at sports day, whisper it before a spelling test, and write it at the top of practice sheets. Friends chant it for each other: 加油，你可以的！ (“Go for it — you can do it!”).
The phrase works wherever English says “go!”, “hang in there” or “you've got this” — and unlike those, it also gets said to whole teams and even countries during the Olympics. 加油 is spelled the same in Traditional Chinese, so nothing to convert.
Pre-filled with 加油 in a tian grid with stroke-order strips. Add more words, pick a size, print.
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FAQ
When do you say 加油?
Before or during any effort: exams, races, performances, a hard worksheet. It covers “good luck”, “keep going” and “you can do it” all at once.
Does 加油 really mean “add oil”?
Literally yes — 加 (add) + 油 (fuel). The image is fueling an engine or a lamp, which is exactly the encouragement it delivers. It is also what drivers say at gas stations.
How is 加油 written in Traditional Chinese?
Identically — 加 and 油 are the same in both scripts.