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进取 (jìn qǔ) — to be enterprising, to show initiative and determination to advance

Definition

进取 describes a person with an enterprising, driven spirit — a trait, not a single action. Compared to 上进, it is more formal and written; 率先 is different — it means being the first to do something, not having drive.

verb
to be enterprising, to show initiative and determination to advance

Examples

  • ，。
    Tā hěn yǒu jìn qǔ xīn, zuò shì zǒng shì zhǔ dòng.
    He is very enterprising and always takes the initiative in his work.
  • 进取，。
    Nián qīng rén yào yǒu jìn qǔ de jīng shén, bù néng ān yú xiàn zhuàng.
    Young people should have an enterprising spirit and not be content with the status quo.
  • 进取，。
    Gōng sī gǔ lì yuán gōng bú duàn jìn qǔ, zhuī qiú gèng hǎo de yè jì.
    The company encourages employees to keep showing initiative and pursue better performance.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

进jìnadvance
取qǔobtain

进 (advance) and 取 (obtain) combine as parallel actions to mean striving forward.

Characters in this word

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 →

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

取 pairs 又 (hand) with 耳 (ear), showing a hand taking an ear, as in taking the ear of fallen prey.

Open 取 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Personality & Traits

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