冲刺

• Pinyin: chōng cì
• Hanzi breakdown: 冲 = 冫(ice) + 中 (middle) = to rush; 刺 = 朿 (thorn) + 刂 (knife) = to stab/pierce

Meaning

To sprint; to make a final dash; to push hard at the end. A last burst of effort.

Used literally for sprinting in races and figuratively for making a final push in exams, projects, or any deadline-driven effort. Implies intense effort in the final phase.

Examples

1. 运动员在最后一百米开始冲刺。 The athlete began sprinting in the last hundred meters.
2. 高考前的最后一个月是冲刺阶段。 The final month before the college entrance exam is the sprint phase.
3. 项目截止日期快到了，大家都在冲刺。 The project deadline is approaching, and everyone is in sprint mode.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, exams, deadlines

Tone: energetic

Do Say

• 冲刺阶段要全力以赴。(Give it your all during the final sprint.)
• 他在终点前冲刺反超了对手。(He sprinted at the finish and overtook his opponent.)

Don't Say

• 我每天冲刺去上班 (冲刺 implies a final burst; for daily rushing, use 赶)

Origin & History

Compound of 冲 (to rush/charge) and 刺 (to stab/pierce). Together they convey rushing forward forcefully.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal