项目

• Pinyin: xiàng mù
• Hanzi breakdown: 项 = 工 (work) + 页 (head) — item; 目 = pictograph of an eye — category, purpose

Meaning

Project; item; event. Refers to a planned undertaking, a specific task within a programme, or a sports event in a competition.

Widely used in business, construction, sports, and education. In business: 项目经理 (project manager), 项目计划 (project plan). In sports: 竞技项目 (athletic event). Implies a purposeful, organised activity with a defined scope. A key word in professional and academic Chinese.

Examples

1. 这个建设项目计划明年完工。 This construction project is planned for completion next year.
2. 她负责公司一个重要的技术项目。 She is responsible for an important technology project at the company.
3. 游泳是这次运动会的主要项目之一。 Swimming is one of the main events in this sports meet.

Usage Guide

Context: business, sports, education

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个项目的预算是五百万元。(The budget for this project is five million yuan.)
• 他参加了三个奥运会项目，获得了两枚金牌。(He participated in three Olympic events and won two gold medals.)

Don't Say

• 把项目用于指单个任务或一件物品。(Don't use 项目 for a single standalone task or physical item — 项目 implies a planned, multi-step undertaking or a defined programme event.)

Origin & History

Compound of 项 (item/term) and 目 (eye/category), together meaning 'a distinct item or goal within a programme.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal