Chinese word

投奔

Pronunciation

Pinyintóu bèn

Meaning

  • verbflee to

Example

他欠债后，跑去投奔哥哥家。tā qiàn zhài hòu pǎo qù tóu bèn gē gē jiā

After he got into debt, he fled to his older brother's house.

Illustration for 投奔 (flee to)

More examples

遭遇家庭暴力后，她带着孩子悄悄投奔亲友避难。zāo yù jiā tíng bào lì hòu tā dài zhe hái zi qiāo qiāo tóu bèn qīn yǒu bì nàn

After experiencing domestic violence, she quietly fled with her child to seek refuge with friends and relatives.

Core concept

Move from trouble toward a person or group that can provide protection and support.

Common phrases

  • 投奔亲友tóu bèn qīn yǒu

    seek refuge with friends and relatives

  • 投奔难民营tóu bèn nàn mín yíng

    flee to a refugee camp

  • 投奔母亲tóu bèn mǔ qīn

    seek refuge with one's mother

Similar words

投靠tóu kào: Going to a person or organization for protection and support and staying under their care.
依靠yī kào: Using the help or strength of a person or thing to accomplish a goal.

Definition in Chinese

为寻求庇护、帮助或依靠，前往亲友、团体或势力并留居或依靠其生活的行为。wèi xún qiú bì hù bāng zhù huò yī kào qián wǎng qīn yǒu tuán tǐ huò shì lì bìng liú jū huò yī kào qí shēng huó de xíng wéi

Word origin

投 (tóu, "entrust oneself") + 奔 (bèn, "run toward") combines committing oneself to someone with rushing toward that person, giving the word its sense of seeking safety and support.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this verb sounds serious and literary, so it suits hardship, danger, or dependence more than a routine visit to relatives.

Other meanings

  • seek shelter withverb

Word lists with this word