Meaning and Usage
The verb 加重 (jiāzhòng) literally means "to add weight" or "to increase severity." It is commonly used to describe making something heavier, more serious, or more intense. This can apply to physical weight, burdens, conditions, or abstract concepts like emphasis.
Common Contexts
- Physical or metaphorical weight: 加重 can describe increasing the actual weight of an object or the figurative weight of responsibilities or burdens.
- Medical or health conditions: It often refers to worsening symptoms or disease progression.
- Emphasis or effect: In speech or writing, 加重 can mean to strengthen or intensify an effect or impression.
Collocations and Patterns
- 加重负担 (jiāzhòng fùdān): increase burden, often financial or workload-related.
- 加重病情 (jiāzhòng bìngqíng): worsen a medical condition.
- 加重处罚 (jiāzhòng chǔfá): increase punishment severity.
Usage Notes
加重 is a formal verb often used in written or formal spoken Chinese. It is more precise than simply saying "increase" and implies a significant or noticeable intensification. Avoid confusing it with 加深 (jiāshēn), which means "to deepen" and is used more for abstract concepts like feelings or understanding.
When using 加重, the object is usually something negative or burdensome, such as problems, punishments, or illnesses, rather than positive things.