骛 (wù) - To pursue & to seek

骛Tone 4

wù ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

骛 · wù

To pursue;

to seek;

to strive for;

to run swiftly;

also refers to a wild duck.

To pursueto seekto strive for

Usage highlights

To pursue fame and gainTo strive for the distantTo run swiftlyWild duckTo seek externallyTo pursue relentlessly

Synonyms

  • 追— to chase, to pursue
  • 求— to seek, to request
  • 逐— to chase, to pursue
  • 奔— to run, to rush

Antonyms

  • 弃— to abandon, to give up
  • 舍— to relinquish, to give up
  • 止— to stop, to cease

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is always striving for perfection (好高骛远).
  • The wild ducks flew south for winter (野骛南飞).
  • She pursues knowledge relentlessly (骛求知识).
  • The horse galloped across the plain (驰骛原野).

Collocations

  • To pursue fame and gain(骛名逐利)
  • To strive for the distant(骛远)
  • To run swiftly(驰骛)
  • Wild duck(野骛)
  • To seek externally(外骛)
  • To pursue relentlessly(骛求)

Idioms

  • Reach for what is beyond one's grasp(好高骛远)
  • Pursue fame and profit(骛名逐利)
  • Mind wanders while body remains(心骛八极)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to wild ducks in classical Chinese, later extended to mean 'to pursue' or 'to run swiftly'.
  • In Confucian tradition, excessive external pursuit (外骛) was sometimes discouraged in favor of inner cultivation.
  • The character appears in classical texts describing both literal running/swimming and metaphorical striving.

FAQ