志气

• Pinyin: zhì qì
• Hanzi breakdown: 志 = 士 + 心 (scholar's heart — aspiration); 气 = spirit/vital energy

Meaning

Ambition; aspiration and determination. The spirit and resolve to achieve great things.

Emphasises having lofty goals combined with the will to achieve them. 有志气 (have ambition/spirit), 长志气 (boost morale/ambition), 没志气 (lacking ambition). Often used to encourage young people or express pride in achievements.

Examples

1. 年轻人应该有志气，敢于追求自己的理想。 Young people should have ambition and dare to pursue their dreams.
2. 他出身贫寒但很有志气，凭自己的努力考上了名牌大学。 He came from a poor background but had real drive; through his own efforts, he got into a top university.
3. 这次胜利大大长了我们队伍的志气。 This victory greatly boosted our team’s morale.

Usage Guide

Context: encouragement, personal development, motivation

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 做人要有志气，不能轻易向困难低头。(One must have ambition — don't easily bow to difficulties.)
• 她小小年纪就很有志气，立志要成为一名科学家。(Though young, she has great ambition and aspires to become a scientist.)

Don't Say

• 他有很多志气 — 志气 is not countable; use 他很有志气 or 他志气很大

Origin & History

志 (will/aspiration) + 气 (spirit/energy)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal