도와주다 vs 지원하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 도와주다
Listen to 지원하다
| 도와주다 | 지원하다 |
|---|---|
DO-wa-joo-da verb | jiwonhada verb |
| to help someone; to give assistance | to support; to provide assistance; to back up |
How they differ
지원하다 often refers to formal, organized, or practical support such as money, materials, systems, or administrative help. Compared with 도와주다, it is less personal and more institutional or official.
When to use each
When to use 도와주다: Use 도와주다 for personal, everyday acts of helping between people.
When to use 지원하다: Use 지원하다 when the help is formal, practical, or provided through an organization or plan.
Side-by-side examples
- 선생님이 제 공부를 도와주셨어요.
(The teacher helped me with my studies.) - 학교가 학생들의 공부를 지원해요.
(The school supports students’ studies.)
Register & nuance: 지원하다 is more formal and common in news, business, education, and administrative contexts than 도와주다.