主动 (zhǔdòng)

主动 describes doing something on one's own initiative, without being asked or forced, conveying a proactive and self-driven attitude.

Meanings

[adjective] proactive, taking the initiative, acting independently
[adverb] on one's own initiative, voluntarily

Example Sentences

她主动帮助同事解决问题。 Tā zhǔdòng bāngzhù tóngshì jiějué wèntí. She proactively helped her colleagues solve problems.

学生应该主动参与课堂讨论。 Xuéshēng yīnggāi zhǔdòng cānyù kètáng tǎolùn. Students should actively participate in classroom discussions.

他主动提出要承担这项任务。 Tā zhǔdòng tíchū yào chéngdān zhè xiàng rènwù. He proactively offered to take on this task.

主动学习比被动接受效果更好。 Zhǔdòng xuéxí bǐ bèidòng jiēshòu xiàoguǒ gèng hǎo. Active learning is more effective than passive reception.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
主动学习	learn proactively
主动参与	participate actively
主动出击	take the initiative to act
主动沟通	communicate proactively

Usage Notes

主动 often contrasts with 被动 (bèidòng, passive). In workplace or educational contexts, being 主动 is viewed very positively in Chinese culture. It can be used as an adjective before nouns or as an adverb before verbs.

Memory Hook

主 means "master" and 动 means "move," so 主动 means you are the master of your own movement, taking charge yourself.