追求

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

含义

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.

例句

1. 她一直在追求自己的音乐梦想，从未放弃过。
2. 他在大学时期开始追求那个让他心动的女生。
3. 我们应该追求高质量的生活，而不仅仅是物质上的满足。

用法指南

语境: romance, career, lifestyle

语气: aspirational

正确说法

• 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.)

错误说法

• 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)

起源与历史

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'.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal