乐于助人
lè yú zhù rén
Joy in helping others · trad. 樂於助人
Someone who is 乐于助人 finds happiness and satisfaction in assisting others. This idiom describes a benevolent and selfless personality, often used to commend individuals for their kind actions.
What does 乐于助人 (lè yú zhù rén) mean?
乐于助人 (lè yú zhù rén) means "joy in helping others" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "happy in helping people."
Character by character
- 乐 lè joy, happy
- 于 yú at, in, towards
- 助 zhù help, assist
- 人 rén person, people
When to use it
Describes someone who is inherently kind and proactive in offering support. It is a highly positive descriptor, typically used in formal or semi-formal contexts when commending character, and implies a genuine desire to help rather than a sense of obligation.
Example
他不但成绩好,而且乐于助人。
Tā búdàn chéngjì hǎo, érqiě lè yú zhù rén.
He is not only good at his studies, but also always happy to help others.
Pro tip: 乐于助人 specifically emphasizes the helper's internal willingness and enjoyment of providing assistance. It highlights their positive attitude towards helping, not merely the act of helping itself.
Related idioms
开门见山 · Direct to the point口是心非 · Verbal hypocrisy力所能及 · Within one's capability
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