Chinese word

地步

Pronunciation

Pinyindì bù

Meaning

  • nounpoint

Example

事情没有到那个地步。shì qíng méi yǒu dào nà ge dì bù

Things have not reached that point.

Illustration for 地步 (point)

More examples

矛盾激化，问题发展到了难以解决的地步。máo dùn jī huà wèn tí fā zhǎn dào le nán yí jiě jué de dì bù

As the conflict grew more intense, the problem reached a point where it was hard to solve.

Core concept

The point on a path of development where an event, problem, or situation now stands.

Common phrases

  • 发展到地步fā zhǎn dào dì bù

    develop to such a point

  • 落到地步luò dào dì bù

    fall into such a state

Similar words

程度chéng dù: The amount or level of a quality, action, or condition.
情况qíng kuàng: The facts and circumstances that show what is happening now.
处境chǔ jìng: The situation or position that a person, group, or thing faces.
局面jú miàn: The state of affairs shaped by the progress and changing course of events.

Definition in Chinese

指事情发展或变化达到的某个阶段或境况，侧重说明已达到的程度，通常以“到……地步”出现并带有强调意味。zhǐ shì qíng fā zhǎn huò biàn huà dá dào de mǒu gè jiē duàn huò jìng kuàng cè zhòng shuō míng yǐ dá dào de chéng dù tōng cháng yǐ dào dì bù chū xiàn bìng dài yǒu qiáng diào yì wèi

Word origin

The compound combines 地 (dì, "ground") with 步 (bù, "step"), presenting a reached condition as a place where progress has come to rest.

Usage tips

  • English often uses point for an idea or location, but this Chinese noun commonly describes how far a problem or event has progressed, especially in the pattern 到地步 (dào dìbù, "reach a stage").

Other meanings

  • statenoun
  • situationnoun

Word lists with this word