Meaning and Usage
The character 迈 (mài) primarily means "to take a step" or "to stride." It often describes physical movement, especially walking with large or confident steps. Beyond literal walking, it is frequently used metaphorically to indicate progress or advancement, such as taking steps toward a goal or development.
Common Collocations
- 迈步 (màibù): to step forward, to start moving
- 迈出第一步 (màichū dì yī bù): to take the first step (often figurative, like starting a new phase)
- 迈向未来 (màixiàng wèilái): to stride toward the future
Usage Notes
When using 迈, the focus is often on the decisiveness or significance of the step, not just any step. It conveys a sense of determination or progress. It is more formal or literary than simply 走 (zǒu, to walk).
Be careful not to confuse 迈 with similar verbs like 踏 (tà), which emphasizes stepping on or treading, or 跳 (tiào), which means to jump.
Register and Tone
迈 is suitable in both spoken and written Chinese but tends to appear more in formal contexts, news reports, speeches, or literary descriptions rather than casual daily conversation.