Meaning and Usage
"鼓舞" means to encourage or inspire someone, often emotionally uplifting them to take action or persevere. It is commonly used in contexts where motivation or morale is boosted, such as speeches, stories, or achievements.
Common Collocations
- 鼓舞士气 (gǔwǔ shìqì): to boost morale, often used in team or group settings.
- 鼓舞人心 (gǔwǔ rénxīn): to inspire people’s hearts, emphasizing emotional impact.
- 鼓舞精神 (gǔwǔ jīngshén): to uplift the spirit, often used in motivational contexts.
Usage Notes
"鼓舞" is more formal and literary than casual encouragement words like "激励" or "安慰". It often implies a strong positive emotional effect. It is usually used with abstract nouns like spirit, morale, or hearts rather than concrete objects.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "鼓舞" with "舞" alone, which means "to dance." "鼓舞" combines "鼓" (drum) and "舞" (dance) metaphorically to mean "to drum up enthusiasm" or "to inspire."