主动 — meaning in English: initiative

zhǔdòng · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for initiative

自治市镇

zìzhì shì zhèn

面料

miànliào

主动

zhǔdòng

汽车

qìchē

宪法

xiànfǎ

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Mandarin Chinese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 主动 (zhǔdòng) in professional and educational settings to describe someone who takes initiative in projects or discussions. For example, a manager might praise an employee for their 主动 attitude in proposing new ideas during a team meeting.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 自发 (zìfā), which translates to 'spontaneous' or 'voluntary'. While 自发 suggests an organic or instinctual action, 主动 emphasizes a deliberate choice to take initiative. You would use 主动 when you want to highlight an active decision to engage or act.

Culture

The word 主动 (zhǔdòng) is composed of two characters: 主 (zhǔ), meaning 'to lead' or 'to be the master of', and 动 (dòng), meaning 'to move' or 'to act'. This embodies the idea of actively taking charge or making things happen rather than waiting for others to take the lead. In Chinese culture, being 主动 is often associated with a positive trait, suggesting a proactive approach is valued in personal and professional relationships.

FAQ

Q.What does 主动 mean in English?

主动 (zhǔdòng) translates to 'initiative' in English, referring to the quality of taking action independently and proactively.

Q.How can I use 主动 in a sentence?

You can use 主动 in a sentence like: '在工作中，积极主动是非常重要的' (In work, being proactive is very important).

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 主动?

A common mistake is to confuse 主动 with 被动 (bèidòng), which means 'passive'. Be clear on the context—主动 highlights taking action while 被动 implies a lack of action.

Learn mandarin chinese with Maspeak →

Chinese (Mandarin) 2000