前途

• Pinyin: qián tú
• Hanzi breakdown: 前 = 止 (foot) + 刂 (knife) — to advance; 途 = 辶 (movement) + 余 (surplus/remaining) — the remaining road ahead

Meaning

Future; prospects; career outlook. The potential or expected development of a person's career, life, or an endeavour.

A formal noun describing future possibilities and outlook. Common collocations: 前途光明 (bright future), 前途无量 (boundless prospects), 没有前途 (no future/dead-end). Often used when discussing careers, education, and life planning. More focused on potential and trajectory than 未来 (future as a time concept).

Examples

1. 这个年轻人很有才华，前途无量。 This young person is very talented — the future is boundless.
2. 父母都希望孩子有一个美好的前途。 All parents hope their children will have a bright future.
3. 他觉得这份工作没有前途，想换一份。 He feels this job has no prospects and wants to change to a different one.

Usage Guide

Context: career, education, life planning

Tone: aspirational

Do Say

• 学好技术，前途一定很好。(If you master the skills, your future prospects will be great.)
• 这个行业的前途怎么样？(What are the prospects for this industry?)

Don't Say

• 前途到北京 (Don't use 前途 for a physical journey — it means career/life prospects, not a travel route; use 去北京的路 for a physical road)

Origin & History

A compound of 前 (front/forward) and 途 (road/path) — the road ahead, metaphorically one's future path.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal