| |
| 站台 [2025/08/10 08:14] – created xiaoer | 站台 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
|---|
| ====== zhàntái: 站台 - Platform, To Endorse/Support ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** zhàntái, 站台, Chinese platform, train platform in Chinese, subway platform, to endorse in Chinese, to support someone, celebrity endorsement, political backing, Chinese slang. | |
| * **Summary:** Learn the versatile Chinese word 站台 (zhàntái). While it literally means a 'platform' at a train or subway station, 站台 is also a crucial modern slang term for 'to endorse' or 'show support' for a person, brand, or cause. This guide breaks down both its literal and figurative uses, from asking for directions at a station to understanding celebrity endorsements and political backing in China. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhàntái | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Noun, Verb | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 (as a noun) | |
| * **Concise Definition:** (Noun) A platform at a train, subway, or bus station; (Verb) To publicly support or endorse someone or something. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** At its core, 站台 (zhàntái) is about a place to stand and wait, like a train platform. But imagine a celebrity standing //on stage// with a politician to show their support. This powerful image gives 站台 its popular modern meaning: to publicly back someone up, lend them your credibility, and show you're on their side. So, it's about both a physical place and a metaphorical act of support. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **站 (zhàn):** This character means "to stand," but by extension, it also means "a station" or "a stop" where vehicles like trains and buses pause (e.g., 火车站 - huǒchēzhàn, train station). | |
| * **台 (tái):** This character represents a platform, stage, or terrace. Think of any elevated, flat surface. | |
| The combination 站台 (zhàntái) literally means a "station's platform." The modern verb meaning extends this idea from a physical platform to a metaphorical 'stage' where you stand with someone to show your public support. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| The figurative use of 站台 (zhàntái) is deeply embedded in modern Chinese social dynamics, where public image and connections (`[[关系]] (guānxi)`) are paramount. | |
| When a respected person `为 (wèi)` someone `站台 (zhàntái)`, they are lending their own reputation and "face" (`[[面子]] (miànzi)`) to that person or cause. This is a significant social transaction. It's more active and visual than the Western concept of an "endorsement," which can often be a simple signature on a contract or a name on a website. `站台` often implies a physical presence—showing up at a press conference, a product launch, or a campaign rally. This public performance of allegiance signals strong backing and can significantly boost the recipient's credibility and public perception. It’s a powerful tool in politics, business, and the entertainment industry. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| === As a Noun (Literal) === | |
| In everyday travel, `站台` is the common word for the platform where you wait for a train or subway. | |
| === As a Verb (Figurative) === | |
| This is where the term becomes more nuanced and interesting. It means to publicly back or vouch for someone. | |
| * **Business & Entertainment:** A famous actress might `站台` for a new cosmetics brand by appearing at its launch event. A well-known tech CEO might `站台` for a promising startup. | |
| * **Politics:** A senior party official might `站台` for a local candidate by joining them at a public event, signaling the party's official support. | |
| * **Informal Support:** On a smaller scale, you can `站台` for a friend by showing up to the opening of their new café or attending their band's first show. Here, it's a synonym for `[[捧场]] (pěngchǎng)`. | |
| The structure is almost always **为 + [Person/Cause] + 站台** (wèi... zhàntái), meaning "to endorse/support...". | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 请问，去上海的火车在哪个**站台**？ | |
| * Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, qù Shànghǎi de huǒchē zài nǎge **zhàntái**? | |
| * English: Excuse me, which platform is the train to Shanghai on? | |
| * Analysis: This is the most common, literal use of `站台` as a noun. You'll use this frequently when traveling in China. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 地铁马上就要进站了，请在安全线后等待，不要靠近**站台**边缘。 | |
| * Pinyin: Dìtiě mǎshàng jiùyào jìnzhàn le, qǐng zài ānquánxiàn hòu děngdài, bùyào kàojìn **zhàntái** biānyuán. | |
| * English: The subway is about to arrive. Please wait behind the safety line and do not approach the edge of the platform. | |
| * Analysis: Another literal example, often heard in public announcements at subway stations. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 这位著名的演员今天会为一个新手机品牌**站台**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè wèi zhùmíng de yǎnyuán jīntiān huì wèi yí ge xīn shǒujī pǐnpái **zhàntái**. | |
| * English: This famous actor will endorse a new mobile phone brand today. | |
| * Analysis: This is a perfect example of the figurative meaning. The actor is lending their fame and credibility (and physical presence) to the brand. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 很多科技大佬都愿意为这个年轻人的创业公司**站台**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Hěn duō kējì dàlǎo dōu yuànyì wèi zhège niánqīngrén de chuàngyè gōngsī **zhàntái**. | |
| * English: Many tech tycoons are willing to back this young person's startup. | |
| * Analysis: `大佬 (dàlǎo)` means "big boss" or "tycoon." Their willingness to `站台` gives the startup immense credibility. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 在选举期间，他得到了几位重要人物的公开**站台**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zài xuǎnjǔ qījiān, tā dédào le jǐ wèi zhòngyào rénwù de gōngkāi **zhàntái**. | |
| * English: During the election period, he received public endorsements from several important figures. | |
| * Analysis: Here, `站台` is used as a noun, meaning "an act of public endorsement." | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 你新店开业，我肯定来给你**站台**！ | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ xīn diàn kāiyè, wǒ kěndìng lái gěi nǐ **zhàntái**! | |
| * English: I'll definitely come to support you for your new store's grand opening! | |
| * Analysis: An informal and friendly use. It means "I'll be there to cheer you on and show my support." It's very similar to `捧场 (pěngchǎng)`. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 你确定要为这个有争议的项目**站台**吗？这可能会影响你的声誉。 | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ quèdìng yào wèi zhège yǒu zhēngyì de xiàngmù **zhàntái** ma? Zhè kě néng huì yǐngxiǎng nǐ de shēngyù. | |
| * English: Are you sure you want to endorse this controversial project? It might affect your reputation. | |
| * Analysis: This shows that `站台` is a high-stakes action. Endorsing the wrong thing can have negative consequences. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 他谁都不支持，拒绝为任何候选人**站台**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā shéi dōu bù zhīchí, jùjué wèi rènhé hòuxuǎnrén **zhàntái**. | |
| * English: He doesn't support anyone and refuses to endorse any candidate. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence highlights the active choice of not endorsing someone. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 这次发布会请到了业内专家**站台**，可信度一下子就高了。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè cì fābùhuì qǐngdào le yènèi zhuānjiā **zhàntái**, kěxìndù yíxiàzi jiù gāo le. | |
| * English: This press conference invited industry experts to endorse it, so its credibility immediately shot up. | |
| * Analysis: Demonstrates the direct effect of a `站台` action—instantly boosting credibility (`可信度`). | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 朋友之间互相**站台**是很正常的。 | |
| * Pinyin: Péngyǒu zhījiān hùxiāng **zhàntái** shì hěn zhèngcháng de. | |
| * English: It's very normal for friends to support each other (publicly). | |
| * Analysis: A general statement about the social practice of mutual support among friends, using the figurative meaning of `站台`. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| * **Literal vs. Figurative:** The most common mistake is confusing the two meanings. The context usually makes it clear. If you're at a station, it means platform. If you're talking about celebrities, politicians, or brands, it means to endorse. | |
| * **Grammar Structure:** You cannot say "我站台你" (I endorse you). The correct verb structure is **为 (wèi) + [Someone] + 站台**, which translates to "to `站台` //for// someone." | |
| * **False Friend: "Support":** In English, "support" is a very broad term. You can support a friend emotionally, support a family financially, or support a sports team. The Chinese word for this general concept is `[[支持]] (zhīchí)`. `站台 (zhàntái)` is much more specific: it refers almost exclusively to //public// endorsement or backing, often involving a physical appearance. You would not use `站台` to say you are emotionally supporting a friend who is sad. | |
| * **A Taboo Meaning:** In some specific, often dated or regional slang contexts, `站台` can be a euphemism for prostitution (literally "standing on a platform" to solicit). You are very unlikely to encounter this meaning in modern, everyday conversation, but it's worth being aware of to avoid potential misunderstanding if heard in a film or a specific social setting. The primary meanings by far are "platform" and "to endorse." | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * `[[支持]] (zhīchí)` - The general word for "to support." `站台` is a specific, public type of `支持`. | |
| * `[[代言]] (dàiyán)` - To act as a spokesperson; a formal endorsement. This is the official, often paid, relationship. `站台` can be the //act// of fulfilling a `代言` contract, like showing up at an event. | |
| * `[[捧场]] (pěngchǎng)` - To show up at an event (like a performance or store opening) to support the person running it. Very close in meaning to the informal, friendly use of `站台`. | |
| * `[[背书]] (bèishū)` - Literally "to endorse a check." Figuratively, to vouch for or endorse someone or something. A more formal and literary synonym for the figurative meaning of `站台`. | |
| * `[[月台]] (yuètái)` - A more formal or literary term for a train platform, commonly used in Taiwan and in written contexts. | |
| * `[[火车站]] (huǒchēzhàn)` - Train station. The place where you find a `站台`. | |
| * `[[地铁站]] (dìtiězhàn)` - Subway station. Another place where you find a `站台`. | |