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旨在 (zhǐ zài) — to aim to, to be intended to (formal, used in writing)

Definition

旨在 (zhǐ zài) is a formal written verb meaning 'to aim to / be intended to', almost always followed by a verb phrase (旨在 + V). It is more formal and focused on the stated purpose of a plan or action than 意图, which names a person's intention as a noun.

verb
to aim toto be intended to (formal, used in writing)

Examples

  • 旨在。
    Zhè xiàng gǎi gé zhǐ zài tí gāo shēng chǎn xiào lǜ.
    This reform aims to improve production efficiency.
  • 旨在。
    Gāi jì huà zhǐ zài cù jìn jīng jì fā zhǎn.
    The plan is intended to promote economic development.
  • 旨在。
    Běn cì diào chá zhǐ zài liǎo jiě gù kè xū qiú.
    This survey aims to understand customer needs.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
主谓zhǔwèiSubject + predicate

A small sentence frozen into a word: something, and what it does or is.

旨zhǐpurpose
在zàilie in

旨 gives the sense of purpose, while 在 points to where that purpose lies, together meaning to aim at something.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
甘甘gāndelicious
Sound part声符shēngfú
匕
匕bǐ旨zhǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

旨 combines 甘, meaning delicious, with 匕, a spoon used to taste food; 匕 also gives the sound.

Open 旨 →

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

The early form of 在 used 才 for its sound; a second sound part 士 was added later, and that 士 became the 土 seen in 在.

Open 在 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Will & Intention

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.