钻进 (zuān jìn) — to squeeze into (a tight space); to immerse oneself in (studies, work, etc.), to dig into

Definition

Two distinct senses: literally squeezing into a tight space, and figuratively immersing oneself in work or study — like English 'burrow into' or 'throw oneself into'. The figurative sense is the common one.

verb
to squeeze into (a tight space)to immerse oneself in (studies, work, etc.)to dig into

Examples

  • 钻进。
    Tā cóng hòu mén zuān jìn le yuàn zi.
    He squeezed into the yard through the back door.
  • ，钻进。
    Wèi le zhǎng wò xīn ruǎn jiàn, tā zuān jìn le suǒ yǒu jiào chéng.
    To master the new software, she dug into all the tutorials.
  • 钻进。
    Zhè ge kē xué jiā zhěng tiān zuān jìn shí yàn shì lǐ gōng zuò.
    This scientist buries himself in the lab working all day.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

钻zuànbore
进jìnin

钻 means to bore or squeeze, and 进 adds the direction inward, giving squeeze into or immerse oneself.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 鑽; 钻 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
釒Written in full as金jīn
Sound part声符shēngfú
贊
贊zàn鑽zuàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 鑽 pairs 釒 (metal) with 贊, which gives the sound; the simplified 钻 is a later shorthand.

Open 钻 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 進; 进 is its simplified writing.

  • 辵辵chuòwalk
  • 隹隹zhuīshort-tail bird

The traditional form 進 pairs 辵 (walk) with 隹 (short-tail bird): the picture showed moving forward because a bird can only walk forward, not backward. The simplified 进 is a later shorthand.

Open 进 →

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