Chinese word

主动

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhǔ dòng

Meaning

  • adjectiveproactive

Example

他主动承担了额外的任务。tā zhǔ dòng chéng dān le é wài de rèn wù

He proactively took on extra tasks.

Illustration for 主动 (proactive)

More examples

学生应主动提出问题，这样才能更快进步。xué shēng yīng zhǔ dòng tí chū wèn tí zhè yàng cái néng gèng kuài jìn bù

Students should proactively ask questions so that they can improve faster.

Core concept

Taking the lead by acting from one's own initiative instead of waiting for direction.

Common phrases

  • 主动学习zhǔ dòng xué xí

    learn proactively

  • 主动提出问题zhǔ dòng tí chū wèn tí

    proactively ask questions

  • 主动帮助别人zhǔ dòng bāng zhù bié rén

    proactively help others

Similar words

积极jī jí: Eagerly taking part or working hard with a positive attitude.
热心rè xīn: Caring deeply about a task or person and giving it enthusiastic effort.
自觉zì jué: Consciously doing what seems right without needing reminders or orders.
自发zì fā: Starting on its own in a natural way, without outside prompting.

Definition in Chinese

不等别人提醒或命令，自己先采取行动或提出建议，表现出积极主动的态度。bù děng bié rén tí xǐng huò mìng lìng zì jǐ xiān cái qǔ xíng dòng huò tí chū jiàn yì biǎo xiàn chū jī jí zhǔ dòng de tài dù

Word origin

主动 (zhǔdòng, "proactive") combines 主 (zhǔ, "in charge") + 动 (dòng, "to move"), framing action as movement led by oneself.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, 主动 (zhǔdòng, "proactive") often comes before a verb, while 他很主动 (tā hěn zhǔdòng, "he is proactive") describes a person's general readiness to take initiative.

Other meanings

  • voluntarilyadverb
  • activeadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 主动性zhǔ dòng xìngproactivitynoun

Word lists with this word