借助（于）…
with the help of; by means of
Structure
主语 借助（于） 工具／方法／力量 ， 动作
What it means
'With the help of, by means of': using a tool, a technique or an outside force to get something done. A written verb; 借助于 is more formal still.
How it is built
Subject + 借助(于) + tool／method／force + main verb (借助A做B): 考古学家借助卫星图片，找到了埋在沙漠下面的古城 (With satellite images, archaeologists found a city buried under the desert).
When to use it
Typical objects: 软件, 翻译, 外力, 科技. 依靠 means depending on something over a long time; 借鉴 means learning from someone else's experience. In speech, 用 or 靠 often does the job.
Watch out
With a person, don't say ✗借助朋友搬家; say ✓在朋友的帮助下搬家 or 借助他人的帮助.
Examples
借助读屏软件，盲人也能用手机聊天、购物。
With the help of screen-reader software, blind people can chat and shop on their phones too.
考古学家借助卫星图片，找到了埋在沙漠下面的古城。
With the help of satellite images, archaeologists found an ancient city buried under the desert.
这种病早期很难发现，必须借助于专门的仪器才能确诊。
This disease is hard to spot in its early stages; it can only be diagnosed with the help of special instruments.
Learn this in Lesson 164 · HSK 7–9: 看不见的世界 (A world without sight)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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