企及 (qǐ jí) — to hope to reach; to match (a level, standard, or achievement)

Definition

A formal verb meaning 'aspire to reach' a high standard — used in writing to express that a level is hard to match. Often appears in 不可/难以/无人企及 constructions.

verb
to hope to reachto match (a level, standard, or achievement)

Examples

  • 企及。
    Tā de chéng jiù wú rén qǐ jí.
    His achievements are unmatched by anyone.
  • 企及，。
    Zhè ge mù biāo hěn nán qǐ jí, dàn zhí dé nǔ lì.
    This goal is very hard to reach, but it's worth the effort.
  • 企及。
    Wǒ men yīng dāng qǐ jí gèng gāo de lǐ xiǎng.
    We should aspire to higher ideals.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

企qǐhope; reach up
及jíreach

企 suggests hoping, and 及 suggests reaching, so together they mean to hope to reach or match.

Characters in this word

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

企 pairs 人 (person) with 止 (foot), showing a person standing on tiptoes.

Open 企 →

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

及 pairs 人 (person) with 又 (hand), showing a hand grabbing a person.

Open 及 →

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