Chinese word

寻求

Pronunciation

Pinyinxún qiú

Meaning

  • verblook for

Example

他们在寻求合作机会。tā men zài xún qiú hé zuò jī huì

They are looking for opportunities to cooperate.

Illustration for 寻求 (look for)

More examples

学生在考试前向老师寻求建议。xué shēng zài kǎo shì qián xiàng lǎo shī xún qiú jiàn yì

Before the exam, the students look for advice from their teacher.

Core concept

A purposeful reach beyond oneself to find or obtain something needed, such as help, an opportunity, or cooperation.

Common phrases

  • 寻求帮助xún qiú bāng zhù

    look for help

  • 寻求支持xún qiú zhī chí

    look for support

  • 寻求合作xún qiú hé zuò

    look for cooperation

Similar words

请求qǐng qiú: Formally ask someone for help, permission, or another specific favor.
请教qǐng jiào: Ask someone with special knowledge to explain something or give advice.
寻找xún zhǎo: Search for a particular person, thing, or opportunity in order to find it.
追求zhuī qiú: Work steadily toward gaining a goal, ideal, position, or other desired result.

Definition in Chinese

向他人或外部提出请求或寻找机会，以满足某种需要或达成某个目的。xiàng tā rén huò wài bù tí chū qǐng qiú huò xún zhǎo jī huì yǐ mǎn zú móu zhǒng xū yào huò dá chéng mǒu gè mù dì

Word origin

寻 (xún, "search") + 求 (qiú, "request") combines searching with asking to express a deliberate effort to obtain something from outside.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this verb often sounds formal and goal-focused, so it suits organized efforts to obtain support or opportunities more than casual searching.

Other meanings

  • pursueverb
  • ask for helpverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 寻求者xún qiú zhěseekernoun

Word lists with this word