Meaning of 目的
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- purpose; aim; goal; target; objective
How to use 目的
目的 is a noun for the purpose or aim behind an action, often in patterns like 目的是… (the purpose is…) or 为了…目的 (for the purpose of…). Example: 你来中国的目的是什么？(Nǐ lái Zhōngguó de mùdì shì shénme?) What is your purpose in coming to China?
目 (mù) is an eye, and 的 here is read dì, meaning the center of a target, as in 目的 being what your eye is aimed at. Picture an archer's eye locked on the bullseye: that point is your purpose.
Common mistake: Learners often read 的 here as the neutral-tone particle de, but in 目的 it is fourth tone dì, so say mùdì, not mùde. Also avoid using 目的 for a concrete numerical target like a sales figure; 目标 (mùbiāo) fits that better.
目的 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
目 mù · eye · 5 strokes
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- 5
的 de · of · 8 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 目的.
| 真的 | zhēn de | really; truly; indeed; real; true; genuine |
| 别的 | biéde | else; other |
| 有的 | yǒude | (there are) some (who are...); some (exist) |
| 的话 | dehuà | if (coming after a conditional clause) |
| 节目 | jiémù | (TV or radio) program; show; item; act; segment; number (on the program of a concert, vari |
| 目标 | mùbiāo | target; goal |
| 目前 | mùqián | at the present time; currently |
| 有的是 | yǒudeshì | have plenty of; there's no lack of |
| 题目 | tímù | subject; title; topic; exercise or exam question (CL:道[dao4]) |
| 的确 | díquè | really; indeed |
| 似的 | shìde | seems as if; rather like |
| 项目 | xiàngmù | item; project; (sports) event |
Questions about 目的
What does 目的 mean?
目的 (mùdì) means "purpose; aim; goal; target; objective" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 目的?
目的 is made of 2 characters: 目 (5 strokes), 的 (8 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 目的 an HSK word?
Yes. 目的 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 目的 and 目标?
目的 (mùdì) is the reason or intention behind doing something. 目标 (mùbiāo) is a specific goal or target you try to reach, like a score or a deadline. You might say 学中文的目的 for your reason to study, and 今年的目标 for what you plan to achieve this year.
How do I say 'destination' using 目的?
Add 地 (dì) to get 目的地 (mùdìdì), meaning destination. For example, 我们到目的地了 (Wǒmen dào mùdìdì le) means We have arrived at our destination.