趋势

• Pinyin: qū shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 趋 = 走 (walk) + 刍 (phonetic) — to move toward; 势 = 埶 (phonetic, planting) + 力 (strength) — force, momentum

Meaning

Trend; tendency. The general direction in which something is developing or changing.

Used for describing broad patterns of development in economics, society, technology, and nature. Common phrases include 发展趋势 (development trend), 上升趋势 (upward trend), 下降趋势 (downward trend), 大趋势 (major trend). Frequently appears in news, academic writing, and business discussions. More formal than saying 方向 (direction).

Examples

1. 近几年，网上购物已经成为一种趋势。 In recent years, online shopping has become a trend.
2. 数据显示，这种疾病的发病率呈下降趋势。 Data shows that the incidence rate of this disease is on a downward trend.
3. 老师让我们分析一下当前经济发展的趋势。 The teacher asked us to analyse the current trend of economic development.

Usage Guide

Context: business, economics, technology, news

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 这是未来几年的发展趋势。(This is the development trend for the next few years.)
• 我们要关注市场的最新趋势。(We need to pay attention to the latest market trends.)

Don't Say

• 今天的天气有一个趋势 for a single day's weather (Don't use 趋势 for short-term or single-day observations — it implies a sustained direction over time)

Origin & History

A compound of 趋 (to hasten toward, to tend toward) and 势 (force, momentum), together meaning 'the momentum toward which things move' — a trend.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal