Chinese word

势头

Pronunciation

Pinyinshì tou

Meaning

  • nounmomentum

Example

他在工作上很有势头，大家都看好他。tā zài gōng zuò shàng hěn yǒu shì tou dà jiā dōu kàn hǎo tā

He has a lot of momentum at work, and everyone has high hopes for him.

Illustration for 势头 (momentum)

More examples

在连胜之后，球队取得了明显的势头。zài lián shèng zhī hòu qiú duì qǔ dé le míng xiǎn de shì tou

After a string of wins, the team gained clear momentum.

Core concept

The current force behind a rise or burst of activity, showing how strongly something is developing.

Common phrases

  • 取得势头qǔ dé shì tou

    gain momentum

  • 保持势头bǎo chí shì tou

    maintain momentum

  • 失去势头shī qù shì tou

    lose momentum

Similar words

气势qì shì: The powerful, impressive energy shown as a person, group, or activity moves forward.
趋势qū shì: The direction in which something tends to change over time.
动向dòng xiàng: The current movement or direction of change in a society, group, or situation.

Definition in Chinese

指在一段时间内呈现上升或活跃迹象的状态，常用来评价事物的短期发展动力。zhǐ zài yí duàn shí jiān nèi chéng xiàn shàng shēng huò huó yuè jì xiàng de zhuàng tài cháng yòng lái píng jià shì wù de duǎn qī fā zhǎn dòng lì

Word origin

势 (shì, "force or tendency") combines with the suffix 头 (tou, "nominal suffix") to name the visible drive of an ongoing development.

Usage tips

  • The noun applies to people as well as plans, businesses, and other projects, focusing on their current direction and energy rather than a settled ability or result.

Other meanings

  • impetusnoun
  • trendnoun

Opposites

  • 颓势tuí shìdownward trendnoun

Word lists with this word