走近

• Pinyin: zǒu jìn
• Hanzi breakdown: 走 = 走 (walk); 近 = 辶 + 斤 (near/close)

Meaning

To walk closer to; to approach. Moving physically or figuratively nearer to something or someone.

Can be used literally (approaching a person or place) or figuratively (gaining a deeper understanding of a subject or drawing closer emotionally to someone). Common in journalism and documentary titles meaning 'getting closer to' a topic.

Examples

1. 记者缓步走近事故现场，仔细观察了周边的环境。 The reporter walked slowly up to the accident scene and carefully observed the surrounding area.
2. 这部纪录片带领观众走近一群深山里坚守传统手艺的老工匠。 This documentary brings viewers closer to a group of elderly craftsmen deep in the mountains who have stuck to traditional skills for years.
3. 在长期志愿服务中，她逐渐走近了这群流浪儿童的内心世界。 Through years of volunteer work, she gradually came to understand the inner world of these homeless children.

Usage Guide

Context: journalism, documentary, social, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他慢慢走近讲台，深吸一口气，开始了他人生中最重要的一次演讲。(He slowly walked up to the podium, took a deep breath, and began the most important speech of his life.)
• 这档节目旨在带领大众走近那些默默无闻却作出重大贡献的基层工作者。(This programme aims to bring the public closer to those grass-roots workers who make significant contributions without recognition.)

Don't Say

• 走进 and 走近 are not interchangeable — 走进 means to walk into (enter) a space, while 走近 means to approach (draw near to) without necessarily entering

Origin & History

走 (walk) + 近 (close/near)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal