投入

• Pinyin: tóu rù
• Hanzi breakdown: 投 = 扌(hand) + 殳 (phonetic); 入 = pictograph of entering/going in

Meaning

To devote oneself to; to put into; deeply absorbed; investment (noun).

As a verb, means to commit time, energy, or money to something. As an adjective/stative verb, describes being deeply absorbed or engaged (他工作很投入 = he is very absorbed in his work). As a noun, refers to the resources put into a project or cause.

Examples

1. 她把全部精力都投入到这个新项目中，加班到很晚。 She devoted all her energy to this new project and worked late every night.
2. 公司在研发方面的投入每年都有所增加。 The company's investment in research and development increases every year.
3. 他工作非常投入，有时连吃饭休息都忘了。 He is so absorbed in his work that he sometimes forgets to eat and rest.

Usage Guide

Context: work, business, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他全身心投入到这份工作中。(He threw himself wholeheartedly into this job.)
• 这个项目需要大量的时间和资金投入。(This project requires a large investment of time and money.)

Don't Say

• 投入 ≠ 投资 — 投入 refers to committing any resource (time, energy, money), while 投资 specifically refers to financial investment with an expectation of return.

Origin & History

Compound of 投 (to throw/put in) and 入 (to enter), together meaning 'to throw oneself into' something — physically, emotionally, or financially.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal