Chinese word

目的

Pronunciation

Pinyinmù dì

Meaning

  • nounpurpose

Example

你学中文的目的是什么？nǐ xué zhōng wén de mù dì shì shén me

What is your purpose in learning Chinese?

Illustration for 目的 (purpose)

More examples

在工作中，他的目的是帮助别人。zài gōng zuò zhōng tā de mù dì shì bāng zhù bié rén

At work, his purpose is to help others.

Core concept

A chosen endpoint that gives a plan or action its direction and explains what it is meant to achieve.

Common phrases

  • 你的目的nǐ de mù dì

    your purpose

  • 达到目的dá dào mù dì

    achieve your purpose

Similar words

目标mù biāo: A definite result that someone wants and plans to achieve.
方法fāng fǎ: A way or procedure for doing something.
办法bàn fǎ: A means of solving a problem or handling a task.

Definition in Chinese

行为或计划所追求的结果或希望达到的意图或目标。xíng wéi huò jì huà suǒ zhuī qiú de jié guǒ huò xī wàng dá dào de yì tú huò mù biāo

Word origin

The characters 目 (mù, "eye") + 的 (dì, "target") form 目的 (mùdì, "purpose"), linking something held in sight with the aim of an action or plan.

Usage tips

  • In a simple sentence, this word can follow an activity and come before a statement of its intended result, making the link between doing something and its aim clear.

Other meanings

  • goalnoun
  • intentionnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word