追求

zhuīqiú

verb HSK 4 #2,936

Meanings

1 to pursue (a goal or dream)
2 to court; to woo (a person)

Characters

to chase; to pursue

to seek; to request

To chase after and seek — to pursue a goal or a person.

Examples

每个人都在追求幸福。

Měi gè rén dōu zài zhuīqiú xìngfú.

Everyone is pursuing happiness.

他追求了她很长时间。

Tā zhuīqiú le tā hěn cháng shíjiān.

He courted her for a long time.

年轻人应该追求自己的梦想。

Niánqīngrén yīnggāi zhuīqiú zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng.

Young people should pursue their dreams.

Tips

usage

追求 has two main uses: 1) pursuing goals/ideals (追求梦想, 追求真理) and 2) romantically courting someone (追求某人). Context makes it clear.

culture

In Chinese dating culture, 追求 implies an active, persistent effort to win someone's affection — taking them on dates, giving gifts, showing dedication.

Stroke Order

追 zhuī

求 qiú