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目的 (mù dì) — purpose, goal, aim

Definition

目的 (mùdì) is the 'purpose' behind an action — why someone does something. 目标 (mùbiāo) is the 'goal' or 'target' you aim to reach; 用意 is a hidden intention.

noun
purposegoalaim
Measure word · 个
Easily confused

Examples

  • 目的。
    Tā xué xí de mù dì shì dāng yì míng yī shēng.
    His purpose in studying is to become a doctor.
  • 目的。
    Zhè cì huì yì de mù dì yǐ jīng xiě qīng chǔ le.
    The purpose of this meeting has been clearly written.
  • 目的。
    Wǒ men wèi le tóng yí gè mù dì yì qǐ nǔ lì.
    We work together for the same goal.

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.

目mùeye
的detarget

“目” is the eye and “的” is a target, together meaning the target one aims the eye at.

Characters in this word

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

目 began as a drawing of a human eye, turned sideways.

Open 目 →

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
白白báiwhite
Sound part声符shēngfú
勺
勺sháo的de
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

的 pairs 白, related to white or brightness, with 勺, which gives a clue to the sound. Its older form 旳 meant bright.

Open 的 →
Appears in
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