突破 (tūpò) — breakthrough; to break through
HSK 5 | verb/noun | to overcome a barrier or achieve a significant advance
突破 (tūpò)
突破 means to break through a barrier, limit, or obstacle, and as a noun refers to a significant breakthrough in research, technology, or achievement.
Meanings
- [verb] to break through; to overcome; to surpass
- [noun] breakthrough; major advance
Example Sentences
科研团队在癌症治疗领域取得了重大突破。 Kēyán tuánduì zài áizhèng zhìliáo lǐngyù qǔdé le zhòngdà tūpò. The research team achieved a major breakthrough in the field of cancer treatment.
这项技术突破了传统方法的瓶颈，大幅提升了生产效率。 Zhè xiàng jìshù tūpò le chuántǒng fāngfǎ de píngjǐng, dàfú tíshēng le shēngchǎn xiàolǜ. This technology broke through the bottleneck of traditional methods, greatly improving production efficiency.
谈判双方经过多轮磋商，终于在关键问题上实现了突破。 Tánpàn shuāngfāng jīngguò duō lún cuōshāng, zhōngyú zài guānjiàn wèntí shàng shíxiàn le tūpò. After multiple rounds of consultation, both negotiating parties finally achieved a breakthrough on key issues.
销售额突破一百亿元大关，创下公司历史新高。 Xiāoshòu'é tūpò yī bǎi yì yuán dà guān, chuàng xià gōngsī lìshǐ xīn gāo. Sales broke through the 10 billion yuan mark, setting a new company record.
她凭借顽强的意志力突破了自身极限，完成了马拉松比赛。 Tā píngjiè wánqiáng de yìzhìlì tūpò le zìshēn jíxiàn, wánchéng le mǎlāsōng bǐsài. She relied on her strong willpower to break through her own limits and complete the marathon.
人工智能领域的技术突破正在深刻改变各行各业。 Réngōng zhìnéng lǐngyù de jìshù tūpò zhèngzài shēnkè gǎibiàn gè háng gè yè. Technological breakthroughs in the field of artificial intelligence are profoundly changing every industry.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 重大突破 (zhòngdà tūpò) | major breakthrough |
| 技术突破 (jìshù tūpò) | technological breakthrough |
| 取得突破 (qǔdé tūpò) | to achieve a breakthrough |
| 突破瓶颈 (tūpò píngjǐng) | to break through a bottleneck |
| 突破极限 (tūpò jíxiàn) | to break through limits |
| 突破记录 (tūpò jìlù) | to break a record |
Usage Notes
突破 is a versatile verb and noun. As a verb, it directly takes objects: 突破极限 (break through limits), 突破僵局 (break a deadlock). As a noun, it typically appears in 取得突破 (achieve a breakthrough) or as a modifier: 突破性进展 (breakthrough progress).
The figurative and literal senses are both active in Chinese. In military contexts, it literally means to break through enemy lines. In scientific, business, and personal achievement contexts, it means to overcome a significant obstacle or make a major advance.
Memory Hook
突 (sudden/forceful) + 破 (to break) -- forcefully breaking through -- a breakthrough.