涉足 (shè zú) — to set foot in; to enter (a field, area, or domain)

Definition

A formal written verb meaning 'to set foot in / enter' a field or domain (politics, the internet industry, etc.). Almost always collocates with 过 and an abstract area of activity, not a physical place.

verb
to set foot into enter (a field, area, or domain)

Examples

  • 涉足。
    Tā cóng wèi shè zú guò zhèng zhì.
    He has never set foot in politics.
  • 涉足。
    Xǔ duō qǐ yè jiā kāi shǐ shè zú hù lián wǎng háng yè.
    Many entrepreneurs are starting to enter the internet industry.
  • ，。
    Wǒ zhī shè guò yí cì zú, jiù bú zài qù le.
    I only dabbled once and then never went again.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

涉shèenter
足zúfoot

'涉' (enter) plus '足' (foot) means to set foot in.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

涉 combines 水 (water) and 步 (walk), showing someone walking through water.

Open 涉 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

足 was originally drawn as a leg.

Open 足 →

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