Chinese word

劲头

Pronunciation

Pinyinjìn tóu

Meaning

  • nounenthusiasm

Example

他最近很有劲头，工作很投入。tā zuì jìn hěn yǒu jìn tóu gōng zuò hěn tóu rù

He has been full of enthusiasm lately and is very dedicated to his work.

Illustration for 劲头 (enthusiasm)

More examples

休息一天后，他又找回了劲头，开始学习。xiū xī yì tiān hòu tā yòu zhǎo huí le jìn tóu kāi shǐ xué xí

After resting for a day, he regained his enthusiasm and began studying.

Core concept

Forward-pushing energy invested in an activity over time.

Common phrases

  • 打起劲头来dǎ qǐ jìn tóu lái

    get enthusiastic

  • 没有劲头méi yǒu jìn tóu

    lack enthusiasm

  • 恢复劲头huī fù jìn tóu

    regain enthusiasm

Similar words

干劲gàn jìn: Energy and determination for actively doing work or a task.
动力dòng lì: Inner force that motivates action and effort.
积极性jī jí xìng: A willing and positive attitude toward taking action.

Definition in Chinese

表示人在做某件事时愿意投入时间和精力，并能持续推动事情向前的主观动力或积极性。biǎo shì rén zài zuò mǒu jiàn shì shí yuàn yì tóu rù shí jiān hé jīng lì bìng néng chí xù tuī dòng shì qíng xiàng qián de zhǔ guān dòng lì huò jī jí xìng

Word origin

劲头 (jìntóu, "drive") is formed from 劲 (jìn, "strength or energy") and 头 (tou, "head"), with 头 helping turn the first element into a colloquial noun for a person's active drive.

Usage tips

  • This word suits steady involvement in a task more closely than a brief flash of excitement, which helps distinguish it from short-lived interest in everyday conversation.

Other meanings

  • energynoun
  • momentumnoun

Opposites

  • 倦怠juàn dàilethargynoun

Related words

  • 干劲gàn jìndrivenoun
  • 劲儿jìnrenergynoun
  • 劲道jìn dàostrengthnoun

Word lists with this word