‘补贴’ (bǔ tiē) is a noun meaning 'subsidy'—a financial benefit provided by the government, an employer, or another organization to support individuals or groups, often to offset costs or encourage certain behaviors. The first character 补 (bǔ) means 'to supplement' or 'to make up for', while 贴 (tiē) originally meant 'to stick' but in this compound carries the sense of 'providing support' or 'giving assistance'. Together, they convey the idea of adding resources to fill a gap.

This word is commonly used in formal and administrative contexts—such as public policy, workplace benefits, or social welfare programs. You’ll encounter it in discussions about housing subsidies, medical expense subsidies, or student living allowances. It’s neutral in register but rarely appears in casual conversation; instead, it appears in official notices, news reports, and bureaucratic documents. Unlike colloquial terms like ‘补助’ (bǔ zhù), ‘补贴’ often implies a recurring or structured form of financial aid tied to specific criteria or eligibility.