Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
目的 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
目的mùdìpurposeHSK 4, n, 13 strokes, rank #1500, Medium
目的mùdìaimHSK 4, n, 13 strokes, rank #1500, Medium
目的mùdìgoalHSK 4, n, 13 strokes, rank #1500, Medium
目的mùdìtargetHSK 4, n, 13 strokes, rank #1500, Medium
目的mùdìobjectiveHSK 4, n, 13 strokes, rank #1500, Medium
mùdì(mu4di4)mu di T4
  1. 1purpose
  2. 2aim
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

目的mùdì(mu4di4)

目的 (mùdì) refers to a specific aim or goal that one seeks to achieve. It is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to describe objectives in various situations, such as project goals or life aspirations.

Strokes13Frequency#1500DifficultyMedium
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, setting clear objectives is often associated with the philosophy of continuous self-improvement and personal development, reflecting a collective value placed on education and achievement.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'moody' (sounds like mu4 di4) person who only feels happy when they reach their goals. Picture them holding a sign that says '目的' to remind themselves of their purpose, which keeps their spirits high.

Meanings of 目的

mùdì(mu4di4)
1purpose
2aim
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 目的 means.

About 目的

目的Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1500Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 目的

JasonAmy

Podcast: 目的

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 目的

Quick Contrast

目标 (mùbiāo) refers to a target or objective, often implying a more quantifiable or measurable aspect than 目的 (mùdì), which can be broader and more abstract.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use 目的; it is typically used in formal or academic settings. Common collocations include '实现目的' (to achieve a goal) and '设定目的' (to set a goal). Ensure you use the correct tones to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, 目的 connects well with other words related to planning and aspiration, such as 计划 (plan) and 目标 (target). Focus on using it in sentences where you discuss intentions or outcomes.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 目的 with similar words like 目标 (target). For example, saying '我的目标是学习' is correct, but using 目的 in the same context might sound awkward. Use 目标 when referring to specific targets.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 目的

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 目的, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 目的 to you

Let me explain 目的 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 目的 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 目的?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 目的 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

目mùeye
HSK 15 strokes目
View full entry
的deof
HSK 18 strokes白
View full entry

How to say purpose in Chinese

“purpose” in Chinese is目的mùdì

目的 (mùdì) refers to a specific aim or goal that one seeks to achieve. It is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to describe objectives in various situations, such as project goals or life aspirations.

When to use 目的

Be mindful of the context in which you use 目的; it is typically used in formal or academic settings. Common collocations include '实现目的' (to achieve a goal) and '设定目的' (to set a goal). Ensure you use the correct tones to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

目的 or something close to it

目标 (mùbiāo) refers to a target or objective, often implying a more quantifiable or measurable aspect than 目的 (mùdì), which can be broader and more abstract.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 目的 with similar words like 目标 (target). For example, saying '我的目标是学习' is correct, but using 目的 in the same context might sound awkward. Use 目标 when referring to specific targets.

Write 目的

目
的

Practice writing 目的 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar patterns of 目的

目的 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

成功的基础是奋斗,奋斗的____是成功,所以,只有不断努力的人才有机会走上成功的道路。

The foundation of success is hard work, and the goal of hard work is success; therefore, only those who strive continuously have the chance to walk the road to success.

Example sentences for 目的 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
关于我们的出版目的存在着某些误解。

guānyú wǒmen de chūbǎn mùdì cúnzài zhe mǒu xiē wùjiě。

There has been some misunder-standing of our publishing aims.
2
你一直在无目的地更换工作,从未真正投入进去。

nǐ yìzhí zài wú mùdìdì gēnghuàn gōngzuò, cóngwèi zhēnzhèng tóurù jìnqù。

You'vebeen drifting from job to job without any real commitment.
3
要参与这个节目的制作,你得够大胆。

yào cānyù zhège jiémù de zhìzuò, nǐ de gòu dàdǎn。

To work on this show you've got to have balls.
4
其目的是促使人们结识邻居。

qí mùdì shì cùshǐ rénmen jiéshí línjū。

The idea is to encourage people to get to know their neighbours.
5
纪律的目的是教育儿童举止得体。

jìlǜ de mùdì shì jiàoyù értóng jǔzhǐ détǐ。

The aim of discipline is to teach children to behave acceptably.
6
他的目的是使空间站项目全面停止。

tā de mùdì shì shǐ kōngjiānzhàn xiàngmù quánmiàn tíngzhǐ。

His objective was to kill the space station project altogether.
7
我们的目的是要彻底击破围绕他的那些谣言。

wǒmen de mùdì shì yào chèdǐ jī pò wéirào tā de nàxiē yáoyán。

Our intention was to demolish the rumours that have surrounded him.
8
重新设计的目的是多方面的,但又是简单的。

chóngxīn shèjì de mùdì shì duōfāngmiàn de, dàn yòu shì jiǎndān de。

The aims of the redesign are wide-ranging but simple.
9
该项目的主要投资商是法国的国民信贷银行。

gāi xiàngmù de zhǔyào tóuzī Shāng shì fǎ guó de guómín xìndài yínháng。

The main investor in the project is the French bank Credit National.
10
该书的目的是要让经济学理论更加简单易懂。

gāi shū de mùdì shì yào ràng jīngjì xué lǐlùn gèngjiā jiǎndān yì dǒng。

The book's aim was to make economic theory more digestible.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 目的?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Frequently asked questions about 目的

You can say '我的目的是什么?' which means 'What is my purpose?'. This question shows self-reflection.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 目的?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab