进一步

• Pinyin: jìn yī bù
• Hanzi breakdown: 进 = 辶 (walk) + 井 (well), meaning to advance; 一 = a single horizontal stroke; 步 = 止 (stop/foot) + 少, meaning a step

Meaning

Further; to go one step further. Indicates deepening, advancing, or extending an action or state.

Used as an adverb to indicate taking something to the next level — further research, further improvement, further discussion. Common in both formal writing and everyday speech. Often paired with verbs like 了解 (understand), 研究 (research), 提高 (improve).

Examples

1. 我想进一步了解这个问题。 I want to understand this issue further.
2. 我们需要进一步讨论这个方案。 We need to discuss this plan further.
3. 他的成绩进一步提高了。 His grades improved further.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, workplace, improvement

Tone: purposeful

Do Say

• 如果你想进一步学习，可以看这本书。(If you want to study further, you can read this book.)
• 公司计划进一步扩大市场。(The company plans to further expand its market.)

Don't Say

• 我要进一步走到商店。(Don't use 进一步 for literal walking — it means 'further' in the abstract sense of deepening or advancing. Say 我要走到商店 or 继续走.)

Origin & History

Literally 'advance one step' — compound of 进 (to advance), 一 (one), and 步 (step). A metaphor for incremental progress.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal