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进步 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
进步
jìnbù
progress
HSK 5, d, 14 strokes, rank #2935, Hard
进步
jìnbù
improvement
HSK 5, d, 14 strokes, rank #2935, Hard
进步
jìnbù
to improve
HSK 5, d, 14 strokes, rank #2935, Hard
进步
jìnbù
to progress
HSK 5, d, 14 strokes, rank #2935, Hard
jìnbù(jin4bu4)jin bu T4
1progress
2improvement
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March 24, 2026
进步(進步)jìnbù(jin4bu4)
进步 (jìnbù) refers to progress or improvement in various contexts, such as personal development, academic achievement, or skill enhancement. It can imply a positive movement forward and is often used to describe gradual advancements in one's abilities or knowledge.
Strokes14Frequency#2935DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of progress is often linked to continuous self-improvement and the importance of education, as seen during events like 'examinations' which symbolize one's progress in learning.
Memory tip
Think of 进 (jìn) as 'to enter' and 步 (bù) as 'step'. Imagine entering a new phase in life, taking steps toward improvement, as if you are climbing a staircase of success, each step representing a bit of progress.
Meanings of 进步
jìnbù(jin4bu4)
1progress
2improvement
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About 进步
进步Simplified
進步Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2935Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 进步
Podcast: 进步
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AI study notes for 进步
Quick Contrast
提升 (tíshēng) - use 进步 (jìnbù) when emphasizing overall progress rather than just an increase in level or standard.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 进步 with other similar terms like 改进 (gǎijìn), which emphasizes making improvements rather than simply progressing. This term is generally informal, but can be used in both casual and formal contexts. Be mindful of the tones, especially in rapid speech.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 进步 connects well with other vocabulary related to improvement and learning, such as 学习 (xuéxí, to study) and 提高 (tígāo, to raise/improve). Students should focus on using it in sentences that reflect personal growth or advancements.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 进步 in contexts where 改进 should be used, such as saying '我们需要进步这个计划' instead of '我们需要改进这个计划' (We need to improve this plan). Remember that 进步 focuses on progress rather than improvement.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 进步
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进步 (jìnbù) refers to progress or improvement in various contexts, such as personal development, academic achievement, or skill enhancement. It can imply a positive movement forward and is often used to describe gradual advancements in one's abilities or knowledge.
When to use 进步
Common mistakes include confusing 进步 with other similar terms like 改进 (gǎijìn), which emphasizes making improvements rather than simply progressing. This term is generally informal, but can be used in both casual and formal contexts. Be mindful of the tones, especially in rapid speech.
进步 or something close to it
提升 (tíshēng) - use 进步 (jìnbù) when emphasizing overall progress rather than just an increase in level or standard.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 进步 in contexts where 改进 should be used, such as saying '我们需要进步这个计划' instead of '我们需要改进这个计划' (We need to improve this plan). Remember that 进步 focuses on progress rather than improvement.
Write 进步
进
步
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Grammar patterns of 进步
进步 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 4 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.
The majority have a built-in Luddite mentality; they are resistant to change.
4
说她进步了听起来倒像是一种讽刺。
shuō tā jìnbù le tīng qǐlái dào xiàng shì yī zhǒng fěngcì。
Saying she's improved comes over as a backhanded compliment.
5
这学期他的历史和文学课有了很大的进步.
zhè xuéqī tā de lìshǐ hé wénxué kè yǒu le hěn dà de jìnbù.
There's been a great improvement in his history and literature this term.
6
汤姆的德语有了很大的进步.
shāng mǔ de dé yǔ yǒu le hěn dà de jìnbù.
Tom has made a vast improvement in his German.
7
经过一年的努力工作，他在公司取得了显著的进步。
Jīngguò yī nián de nǔlì gōngzuò, tā zài gōngsī qǔdéle xiǎnzhù de jìnbù.
After a year of hard work, he made significant progress in the company.
8
我们在环保方面的进步需要更多的创新和投入。
Wǒmen zài huánbǎo fāngmiàn de jìnbù xūyào gèng duō de chuàngxīn hé tóurù.
Our progress in environmental protection requires more innovation and investment.
9
她在音乐上的进步让老师们感到惊讶。
Tā zài yīnyuè shàng de jìnbù ràng lǎoshīmen gǎndào jīngyà.
Her progress in music surprised the teachers.
10
科学技术的进步正在改变我们的生活方式。
Kēxué jìshù de jìnbù zhèngzài gǎibiàn wǒmen de shēnghuó fāngshì.
The progress of science and technology is changing our way of life.
11
经过一年的努力工作，他在公司取得了显著的进步。
Jīngguò yī nián de nǔlì gōngzuò, tā zài gōngsī qǔdéle xiǎnzhù de jìnbù.
After a year of hard work, he made significant progress in the company.
12
我们在环保方面的进步需要更多的创新和投入。
Wǒmen zài huánbǎo fāngmiàn de jìnbù xūyào gèng duō de chuàngxīn hé tóurù.
Our progress in environmental protection requires more innovation and investment.
13
她在音乐上的进步让老师们感到惊讶。
Tā zài yīnyuè shàng de jìnbù ràng lǎoshīmen gǎndào jīngyà.
Her progress in music surprised the teachers.
14
科学技术的进步正在改变我们的生活方式。
Kēxué jìshù de jìnbù zhèngzài gǎibiàn wǒmen de shēnghuó fāngshì.
The progress of science and technology is changing our way of life.
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Frequently asked questions about 进步
You can say '我在学习汉语方面有很大的进步' (Wǒ zài xuéxí hànyǔ fāngmiàn yǒu hěn dà de jìnbù), meaning 'I have made great progress in learning Chinese.'
The opposite is 退步 (tuìbù), which means 'to regress' or 'to fall behind.'
Yes, it can refer to progress in a career or project, such as '我们的项目进步很快' (Wǒmen de xiàngmù jìnbù hěn kuài), meaning 'Our project is progressing quickly.'
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