(zhuī qiú) - to pursue, to seek after in Mandarin
zhuīqiúTraditional: 追求
Translation
to pursue, to seek after
Word origin
追 (zhuī) is to chase, built from 辶 (movement) with self as the phonetic element. 求 (qiú) is to seek or beg, from a pictograph of a fur garment later borrowed for the sound. The compound is the classical pairing of chasing and seeking.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 追 (zhuī, to chase) + 求 (qiú, to seek)
Stroke order
追
求
Examples
。
He has always been pursuing his own dream.
。
That young man has been courting her for several years.
，。
What we are after is quality, not quantity.
。
Everyone has the right to pursue happiness.
。
She gave up the pursuit of fame and fortune.
追求 (zhuī qiú) is going after something you value, over time and with effort. It takes abstract objects comfortably: 追求梦想, 追求幸福, 追求真理, 追求利润. It also works as a noun, so 对名利的追求 is the pursuit of fame and money.
Its other everyday sense is courting somebody. 他在追求她 means he is trying to win her over, and the shortened 追 on its own does the same job in casual speech. There is nothing sleazy about the word, but it does imply a sustained campaign rather than one invitation.
The trap is using it for physical chasing. If a dog is running after a ball or the police are after a car, that is 追 alone, or 追赶. 追求 has left the pavement behind: it belongs to goals and to hearts.
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追求: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "追求" (to pursue, to seek after): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 57.