HSK · Level 86
45 words
Chinese word
下海
Pronunciation
Pinyinxià hǎi
Meaning
- verbstart a business
Example
他决定下海自己做生意了。tā jué dìng xià hǎi zì jǐ zuò shēng yì le
He decided to start his own business.
More examples
年轻人更愿意冒险下海创业。nián qīng rén gèng yuàn yì mào xiǎn xià hǎi chuàng yè
Young people are more willing to take risks and start a business.
Core concept
Stepping from sheltered employment into the open waters of commerce and making a living independently.
Common phrases
下海创业xià hǎi chuàng yè
start a business
下海经商xià hǎi jīng shāng
go into business
下海做生意xià hǎi zuò shēng yì
go into business
Similar words
创业chuàng yè: Set up a business or company and begin operating it.
经商jīng shāng: Do business by trading goods or services for profit.
Definition in Chinese
指开始自营或经商，常用于形容放弃单位待遇后进入市场独立经营或创业的行为。zhǐ kāi shǐ zì yíng huò jīng shāng cháng yòng yú xíng róng fàng qì dān wèi dài yù hòu jìn rù shì chǎng dú lì jīng yíng huò chuàng yè de xíng wéi
Word origin
The literal sea in 下海 (xiàhǎi, "go down to the sea") provides the image of venturing beyond an established workplace into commercial activity.
Usage tips
- The expression fits someone who opens a shop, runs a private practice, or starts another personal venture, while an ordinary move between employers needs a more general expression.