迈
Character Story & Explanation
迈 is widely used in modern Standard Chinese in fixed expressions and formal writing. It appears in common phrases like 迈出第一步 (mài chū dì yī bù, 'take the first step'), frequently cited in motivational speeches, education policy documents, and entrepreneurship reports — including official Xinhua News Agency articles on innovation and youth development. It’s also in the idiom 大步迈进 (dà bù mài jìn, 'march forward in big strides'), used in political and economic reporting since the 1980s to describe national advancement.
The character evolved from seal script, where it clearly combined 十 (shí, ten — here acting phonetically) and 辶 (movement radical). Unlike ancient pictographs, 迈 has no surviving oracle-bone form; its earliest attested use is in Warring States bamboo texts as a verb meaning 'to stride'. Today, Chinese learners most commonly encounter it in graduation speeches: '迈出校门' (mài chū xiàomén, 'step out of the school gate') — symbolizing transition into adult life.
Hello students! The character 迈 (mài) is a beautiful example of how Chinese characters combine meaning and motion. It literally means 'to take a step' — not just physically walking, but also advancing, progressing, or stepping into something new. Its radical 辶 (chuò), the 'walking' or 'movement' radical, appears on the left in many characters related to motion — like 进 (jìn, to enter), 远 (yuǎn, far), and 退 (tuì, to retreat). This tells us right away that 迈 is about movement forward.
Don’t confuse 迈 with simple verbs like 走 (zǒu, to walk) — 迈 emphasizes the *act of lifting and placing one foot*, often with intention or significance. You’ll see it in formal or literary contexts: stepping into adulthood, stepping onto a stage, or stepping across a threshold. It’s poetic and purposeful — think of it as the ‘ceremonial step’ in Chinese expression.
As an HSK Level 6 character, 迈 appears in advanced vocabulary and abstract uses. While beginners rarely need it for daily conversation, mastering it helps you read essays, news headlines, and speeches where progress, transition, or initiative is described. Remember: it’s not about speed or distance — it’s about the *deliberate first move*. That makes it both concrete (a footstep) and deeply metaphorical (a life decision).
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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