积极分子 (jī jí fèn zǐ) — activist (esp. in political or organizational contexts); someone who actively participates and shows strong initiative

Definition

A person recognized for outstanding initiative and active participation, especially in an organization or political group. The title is typically awarded — someone is named 积极分子 by their unit after showing strong, sustained commitment.

noun
activist (esp. in political or organizational contexts)someone who actively participates and shows strong initiative
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • ，积极分子。
    Tā zài gōng zuò zhōng biǎo xiàn tū chū, bèi píng wéi jī jí fèn zǐ.
    He stood out at work and was rated a model activist.
  • 积极分子。
    Zhè wèi jī jí fèn zǐ měi tiān zuì zǎo dào bàn gōng shì.
    This activist arrives at the office earliest every day.
  • 积极分子。
    Dǎng zhī bù péi yǎng le yì pī qīng nián jī jí fèn zǐ.
    The party branch cultivated a group of youth activists.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

积极active
积jīaccumulate极jíextreme
联合Side by side
分子person/element
分fēn子zǐ

The sense of 积极 (active) combined with 分子 (person or element) points to someone who takes active part.

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 積; 积 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
禾禾hé
Sound part声符shēngfú
責
責zé積jī
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 積 pairs 禾 (grain) with 責, which gives the sound; the simplified 积 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical parts.

Open 积 →

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
木木mùtree, wood
Sound part声符shēngfú
及
及jí极jí
Same sound today

极 pairs 木 (tree, wood) with 及, which provides the sound.

Open 极 →

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

分 pairs 八 (to separate) with 刀 (knife), showing something cut apart with a knife.

Open 分 →

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

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →

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