追求

• Pinyin: zhuī qiú
• Hanzi breakdown: 追 = 辶(walk radical) + 师 variant, to follow/chase after; 求 = pictograph of a kneeling figure, to seek/request

Meaning

To pursue; to seek; to strive for. Actively working towards a goal, ideal, or person.

Used for both romantic pursuit (追求某人 — to court someone) and the pursuit of goals or ideals (追求梦想 — pursue one's dream, 追求完美 — pursue perfection). It implies active, sustained effort over time. One of the most versatile and frequently used verbs in Chinese.

Examples

1. 她一直在追求自己的音乐梦想，从未放弃过。 She has always been pursuing her musical dream and has never given up.
2. 他在大学时期开始追求那个让他心动的女生。 He began courting the girl who had captured his heart during his university years.
3. 我们应该追求高质量的生活，而不仅仅是物质上的满足。 We should pursue a high-quality life, not just material satisfaction.

Usage Guide

Context: romance, career, lifestyle

Tone: aspirational

Do Say

• 每个人都有权利追求自己的幸福。(Everyone has the right to pursue their own happiness.)
• 他为了追求更好的发展机会，主动申请了海外项目。(In pursuit of better career opportunities, he proactively applied for an overseas project.)

Don't Say

• 把'追求'用于完全消极或有害的欲望 (While 追求 can be used for any strong desire, in practice it carries a positive connotation; for negative obsessions or unhealthy pursuits, use 沉迷于 or 执着于 instead)

Origin & History

From 追 (to chase/pursue, 辶 walk + 师 variant — to follow closely) and 求 (to seek/request, a pictograph of someone kneeling to make a request), together meaning 'to actively chase after something desired'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal