Meaning
倡 means to initiate, advocate, or be the first to propose something, especially a movement, idea, or social cause. It emphasizes taking the lead in promoting something beneficial or progressive. The character is commonly seen in formal or written contexts related to social initiatives and reforms.
Usage
倡 is typically used in formal or literary contexts. It often appears in compounds like 倡导 (chàngdǎo, to advocate) and 倡议 (chàngyì, to propose/initiative). Native speakers rarely use 倡 alone in casual speech, preferring the compound forms instead.
Examples
- 01他首倡这项改革计划。.He was the first to propose this reform plan.
- 02政府倡导绿色出行。.The government advocates green transportation.
Common collocations
- 倡导和平to advocate peace
- 倡议书written proposal, manifesto
- 提倡环保to advocate environmental protection
Antonyms
Origin
The character 倡 originally referred to entertainers or singers who would 'lead' performances. Over time, its meaning evolved to represent leading or initiating ideas and movements, with the person radical (亻) indicating human action.