逆行者

nìxíngzhě

noun

Meanings

1 one who rushes toward danger while others flee; frontline hero
2 literally 'the one going against the flow'

Characters

one who; -er suffix

Examples

HSK 5

消防员永远是火场里的逆行者。

Xiāofángyuán yǒngyuǎn shì huǒchǎng lǐ de nìxíngzhě.

Firefighters are always the ones running into the flames when others run out.

HSK 7-9

向所有最美逆行者致敬。

Xiàng suǒyǒu zuì měi nìxíngzhě zhìjìng.

Salute to all the brave frontline heroes.

HSK 7-9

疫情期间，医护人员是真正的逆行者。

Yìqíng qījiān, yīhù rényuán shì zhēnzhèng de nìxíngzhě.

During the pandemic, medical workers were the real frontline heroes.

Tips

culture

Originally 逆行 meant 'going the wrong way' on a road (a traffic violation). During the Wuhan COVID outbreak in early 2020, state media recast it as a term of highest praise for doctors, nurses, and firefighters who 'went against the flow' of evacuation. Named a 2020 Top 10 buzzword by 《咬文嚼字》.

register

Elevated register with strong patriotic overtones. Used in news, tributes and official speeches, not casual chat.

Stroke Order

逆 nì

行 xíng

者 zhě