迈

邁

mài

万 + 辶

HSK 2.0Level 6

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

mài (verb) to stride; to step

Etymology

To take ten thousand 万 steps 辶

About

迈 is built from the walking radical 辶 (chuò), which indicates motion, and the phonetic component 万 (wàn, ten thousand), a simplified substitute for the traditional 萬 seen in 邁. The combination literally suggests taking ten thousand steps, a long, decisive stride. In its primary sense, 迈 describes the physical act of stepping, striding, or moving forward. Over time, its meaning has broadened to encompass the march of years, growing older, surpassing a limit, traversing a great distance, or making a major leap in progress.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他迈了一大步。

Tā mài le yī dà bù.

He took a big step.

我们迈进了新时代。

Wǒmen mài jìn le xīn shídài.

We have stepped into a new era.

迈出第一步很重要。

Mài chū dì yī bù hěn zhòngyào.

Taking the first step is very important.

他年迈但身体健康。

Tā niánmài dàn shēntǐ jiànkāng.

He is old but healthy.

他的性格很豪迈。

Tā de xìnggé hěn háomài.

His personality is bold and generous.

迈过这个困难就能成功。

Mài guò zhège kùnnan jiù néng chénggōng.

Overcoming this difficulty will lead to success.

公司正在迈向全球化。

Gōngsī zhèngzài mài xiàng quánqiúhuà.

The company is moving towards globalization.

他迈着稳健的步伐，向着目标前进。

Tā mài zhe wěnjiàn de bùfá, xiàng zhe mùbiāo qiánjìn.

He walks with steady steps towards the goal.

Related Characters

Component: 万

Component: 辶

迈