Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun #3,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

前途

qian tu Top 3,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 前途 en 30 secondes

Explication 前途 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of '前途' (qiántú) as a word for 'future.' While you might mostly use '未来' (wèilái) for time, '前途' is what you use when you want to say someone is doing well or will have a good life. It is like saying 'good road ahead.' You will mostly hear it in simple phrases like '他很有前途' (He has a great future). At this stage, just remember that it's a noun used to talk about someone's success in the long run. It is often paired with '好' (good) or '光明' (bright). Don't worry about the complex grammar yet; just focus on the idea of a 'career path.'

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the A2 level, you should start distinguishing between 'time' (未来) and 'prospects' (前途). '前途' (qiántú) is a noun that describes the 'road' (途) in 'front' (前) of you. It's very common in conversations about jobs and school. You might hear a teacher say '努力学习才有前途' (Only by studying hard will you have a future). You can use it with verbs like '有' (have) or '没有' (not have). It is also helpful to know the adjective '光明' (guāngmíng - bright) which is almost always used with '前途' to describe a successful person. You are beginning to see it as a way to express ambition or concern for someone's life path.

At the B1 level, you can use '前途' (qiántú) in more complex sentence structures. You understand that it refers specifically to one's career outlook or the development of an organization. You can use it as a subject of a sentence, such as '他的前途掌握在自己手中' (His future is in his own hands). You should also be able to use it with more descriptive adjectives like '渺茫' (miǎománg - uncertain/dim) or '坎坷' (kǎn kě - bumpy). You can discuss the '前途' of a company or a specific industry, moving beyond just individuals. This word becomes a tool for expressing professional opinions and evaluating choices.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '前途' (qiántú) in formal discussions and writing. You understand the nuance between '前途' and its synonyms like '前景' (prospects for industries) or '前程' (a more literary term for career). You can use idiomatic expressions or formal collocations like '前途无量' (limitless future) or '耽误前途' (to ruin one's prospects). You can also use it in a broader sense to discuss national or global issues, such as '人类的前途' (the future of humanity). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's weight in Chinese culture, where 'having a future' is a significant social and familial value.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, your use of '前途' (qiántú) should be sophisticated and contextually precise. You can use it in abstract philosophical discussions or high-level business analysis. You understand how to use it with a wide range of literary verbs like '奠定' (to lay a foundation), '关乎' (to concern/affect), or '抉择' (to choose/decide). You are also aware of its ironic or sarcastic potential in social commentary. You can analyze how the concept of '前途' influences social behaviors in China, such as the intense competition in the education system. You can distinguish the subtle emotional tones when the word is used in literature versus daily speech.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '前途' (qiántú) and its role in the Chinese linguistic landscape. You can use it in complex rhetorical structures and understand its historical and etymological roots. You can effortlessly switch between '前途', '前程', '前景', and '远景' depending on the register and the specific nuance you wish to convey. You can engage in deep debates about the '前途' of ideologies or civilizations. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the ability to use the word in poetry, academic papers, or high-stakes political discourse. You understand the full cultural baggage the word carries regarding duty, success, and destiny.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

前途 en 30 secondes

前途 means 'future prospects' or 'career outlook,' focusing on success and potential.
It is a noun often used with '有' (have) or '光明' (bright).
Unlike '未来' (time), '前途' is about the quality of one's life path.
Commonly used in job, education, and national development contexts.

The Chinese word 前途 (qiántú) is a profound and essential noun that literally translates to 'the road ahead.' However, its usage in modern Mandarin goes far beyond a physical path. It primarily refers to one's future prospects, career outlook, or destiny in a professional or personal sense. When you talk about someone having a 'bright future' or an 'uncertain outlook,' you are talking about their 前途. This word carries a weight of expectation, ambition, and potential.

Career Context: In the workplace, 前途 is used to evaluate the long-term viability of a job or a company. A manager might tell a high-performing employee that they have a great qiántú within the organization, implying promotions and success.
Educational Context: Parents and teachers frequently use this word when discussing a student's grades or university choices. The underlying belief is that better education leads to a more stable and prosperous 前途.
National Context: It is not limited to individuals. One can speak about the 国家的前途 (the future of the nation) or the 人类的前途 (the future of humanity), focusing on the collective destiny and development trajectory.

只要你努力学习，你的前途一定会很光明。
— Translation: As long as you study hard, your future prospects will definitely be bright.

The word is composed of two characters: 前 (qián) meaning 'front' or 'ahead,' and 途 (tú) meaning 'way' or 'road.' Together, they create the image of a journey yet to be traveled. Unlike the word 未来 (wèilái), which simply refers to the time that is yet to come, 前途 implies a value judgment about the quality of that time. You wouldn't say 'the weather of the qiántú,' but you would say 'this industry has no qiántú.'

这个年轻人非常有才华，他的前途不可限量。
— Translation: This young man is very talented; his future prospects are limitless.

When using this word, it is almost always paired with adjectives that describe the 'brightness' or 'darkness' of the path. Common pairings include 光明 (guāngmíng - bright), 无量 (wúliàng - limitless), or 渺茫 (miǎománg - dim/uncertain). It is a word of high stakes; it suggests that the actions taken today determine the visibility of the road tomorrow.

Common Collocations: 1. 奔前途 (bēn qiántú): To strive for one's future.
2. 耽误前途 (dānwù qiántú): To jeopardize or delay one's prospects.

为了自己的前途，他决定出国深造。
— Translation: For the sake of his own future, he decided to go abroad for further studies.

Using 前途 correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a noun and the specific verbs and adjectives it typically attracts. Because it represents an abstract concept of 'future outlook,' it functions as the subject or object of a sentence, often modified by possessives or descriptive phrases.

As a Subject: When 前途 is the subject, we often describe its state.
Example: 我的前途很光明。 (My future is very bright.)
As an Object: When it is the object, we usually use verbs that involve affecting or considering the future.
Example: 你应该考虑你的前途。 (You should consider your future.)

在这家公司工作，我看不见任何前途。
— Translation: Working at this company, I don't see any future prospects.

One of the most common ways to use 前途 is in the structure 有/没有前途. This is the standard way to say someone or something 'has a future' or 'is a dead end.' For instance, if a startup is failing, people might say 这个项目没前途 (This project has no future).

父母总是担心子女的前途。
— Translation: Parents are always worried about their children's future prospects.

In more formal or literary settings, you might see 前途 paired with verbs like 奠定 (diàndìng - to lay the foundation for) or 关乎 (guānhū - to relate to/affect). For example, 这决定关乎你的前途 (This decision affects your future). This emphasizes the gravity of the word.

Common Adjectives: 1. 光明 (Bright)
2. 暗淡 (Gloomy/Dim)
3. 坎坷 (Bumpy/Rough)
4. 广阔 (Vast/Wide)

虽然现在很难，但我们的前途是广阔的。
— Translation: Although it is difficult now, our future prospects are vast.

Finally, remember that 前途 is a very 'human' word. It is rarely used for inanimate objects unless those objects are metaphors for human systems (like a business or a technology). You wouldn't talk about the qiántú of a rock, but you would talk about the qiántú of AI technology.

你这样做是在自毁前途。
— Translation: Doing this is like destroying your own future.

In the daily life of a Chinese speaker, 前途 is a word that appears in moments of reflection, evaluation, and high-stakes conversation. It is a 'serious' word, though it can be used colloquially to express praise or concern. Understanding its social context is key to mastering it.

The Workplace (Office Politics & Recruitment): In job interviews, recruiters might ask: “你对自己的前途有什么规划？” (What plans do you have for your future prospects?). Employees chatting over coffee might complain, “这家公司没前途，我打算辞职。” (This company has no future; I plan to resign.) It is the ultimate metric for job satisfaction.
Family Dinners (The 'Tiger Parent' Dynamic): This is perhaps the most common place to hear the word. Parents use it to motivate or pressure their children. “你不努力，以后哪有前途？” (If you don't work hard, how will you have a future?). It is often linked to academic achievement and stable careers like medicine or law.

小王工作很卖力，大家都觉得他很有前途。
— Translation: Xiao Wang works very hard; everyone thinks he has a great future.

In media and entertainment, 前途 is a staple of motivational speeches and dramatic dialogues. In a coming-of-age drama, a protagonist might shout about finding their own 前途 rather than following the path laid out by their parents. In news broadcasts, economists discuss the 经济前途 (economic prospects) of a region after new policies are implemented.

为了孩子的前途，他们搬到了学区房。
— Translation: For the sake of their child's future, they moved to a house in a good school district.

Interestingly, 前途 can also be used sarcastically. If someone does something incredibly foolish or shortsighted, a friend might say, “你可真有前途啊！” (You really have a 'great future'!), meaning the exact opposite. This usage is common among younger generations to mock poor decisions.

Romantic Context: While less common than in career talks, sometimes couples discuss whether their relationship has a 前途. This usually refers to whether they can eventually marry and build a life together. “我觉得我们两个没前途。” (I don't think we have a future together.)

在这个行业，技术创新决定了公司的前途。
— Translation: In this industry, technological innovation determines a company's future prospects.

Even intermediate learners often stumble when using 前途 because they confuse it with other 'future' related words or use it in contexts where it doesn't quite fit. Here are the most frequent errors and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Confusing 前途 (qiántú) with 未来 (wèilái): Incorrect: 我明天的前途很忙。
Correct: 我明天的安排很满 / 我未来几天很忙。
Explanation: 未来 is a general term for time (the future). 前途 is about career/life prospects. You cannot use 前途 to refer to a specific point in time like 'tomorrow.'
Mistake 2: Using the wrong verbs: Incorrect: 他做了一个前途。
Correct: 他有一个好前途 / 他在创造前途。
Explanation: You don't 'make' a 前途 like an object. You have one (有), see one (看), or worry about one (担心).

不要因为一点小错就觉得没前途了。
— Translation: Don't feel like there's no future just because of a small mistake.

Another common error is applying 前途 to trivial things. Because the word carries a sense of 'destiny' and 'career path,' using it for minor activities sounds strange or overly dramatic to a native speaker.

很多学生在选择专业时非常迷茫，不知道前途在哪里。
— Translation: Many students are very confused when choosing a major, not knowing where their future prospects lie.

Furthermore, learners often forget that 前途 is a noun, not an adjective. You cannot say 'He is very qiántú.' You must say 'He has a qiántú' (他很有前途). The word 有前途 (yǒu qiántú) effectively acts as an adjective meaning 'promising.'

Mistake 3: Over-complicating possessives: Incorrect: 那个人的前途的事情。
Correct: 那个人的前途。
Explanation: 前途 itself covers the 'matter' or 'affair' of the future. Adding shìqing is redundant.

你现在的努力是在为你的前途铺路。
— Translation: Your current hard work is paving the way for your future.

Chinese has several words that touch upon the concept of 'future' or 'prospects.' Knowing the subtle differences between 前途 and its synonyms will elevate your fluency from basic to advanced.

前途 (qiántú) vs. 未来 (wèilái): 未来 is purely temporal. It means 'the time to come.' You can have a 'future meeting' (未来的会议). 前途 is qualitative. It describes the quality of one's journey. You have 'bright prospects' (光明的前途), not a 'bright time' in the same sense.
前途 (qiántú) vs. 前程 (qiánchéng): These are very similar, but 前程 (qiánchéng) is slightly more formal and often used in specific idioms like 前程似锦 (a future as beautiful as brocade). 前途 is more common in daily speech and business contexts.
前途 (qiántú) vs. 前景 (qiánjǐng): 前景 literally means 'foreground' or 'prospect/vista.' It is used most often for industries, markets, or projects (e.g., 市场前景 - market prospects). 前途 is more personal and career-oriented.

虽然这款产品的市场前景很好，但我的个人前途在这里并不明朗。
— Translation: Although the market prospects for this product are good, my personal future prospects here are not clear.

When you want to emphasize the 'road' aspect of the future, you might use 出路 (chūlù - a way out/outlet). This is used when someone is in a difficult situation and needs a solution for their future. For example, 找个出路 (finding a way out/a future path).

祝你前程似锦，万事如意！
— Translation: Wish you a future as bright as brocade and all the best!

In summary, choose 前途 for general talk about career and life potential, 未来 for time, 前景 for business/industry analysis, and 前程 for formal well-wishing.

Summary Table: - 前途: Personal/Career success outlook.
- 未来: Time-based future.
- 前景: Industry/Market/Project prospects.
- 前程: Formal/Literary version of 'path.'

我们对中国经济的前景充满信心。
— Translation: We are full of confidence in the prospects of the Chinese economy.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In ancient China, '途' specifically referred to a road that could accommodate three carriages side-by-side, implying a significant path.

Guide de prononciation

UK /tʃjɛn tuː/

US /tʃjɛn tu/

Both syllables carry second (rising) tones in Mandarin: qián (2) tú (2).

Rime avec

钱途 (qiántú - same sound, different meaning: 'money path') 途 (tú) 湖 (hú) 图 (tú) 书 (shū - partial) 姑 (gū) 苏 (sū) 如 (rú)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'q' as 'k' (it should be 'ch').
Falling tone on 'tu' instead of rising.
Confusing 'tu' (road) with 'tu' (map/picture).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Easy to recognize once the components '前' and '途' are known.

Écriture 4/5

The character '途' is a bit complex due to the '辶' radical and the '余' component.

Expression orale 2/5

Simple pronunciation with common second tones.

Écoute 3/5

Can be confused with '钱途' (money path) in spoken context, though the meaning is similar.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

前 (qián) 路 (lù) 未来 (wèilái) 有 (yǒu) 光明 (guāngmíng)

Apprends ensuite

前景 (qiánjǐng) 前程 (qiánchéng) 发展 (fāzhǎn) 命运 (mìngyùn) 事业 (shìyè)

Avancé

康庄大道 (kāngzhuāng dàdào) 鹏程万里 (péngchéng wànlǐ) 穷途末路 (qióngtú mòlù)

Grammaire à connaître

Noun as Modifier

前途规划 (Future planning)

Adjective + 的 + Noun

广阔的前途 (Vast prospects)

Verb + Object

奔前途 (To strive for a future)

Possessive Structure

我们的前途 (Our future)

Topic-Comment Structure

他的前途，谁也说不准。 (His future, nobody can say for sure.)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

他很有前途。

He has a great future.

Subject + 很 + 有 + 前途.

你的前途很好。

Your future is very good.

Possessive + 前途 + 很 + Adjective.

我没有前途。

I have no future.

Negative '没有' used with '前途'.

学习有前途。

Studying leads to a future.

Verb/Activity + 有 + 前途.

他的前途光明。

His future is bright.

前途 + 光明 (common collocation).

前途在前面。

The future is ahead.

Simple location-based metaphor.

大家都有前途。

Everyone has a future.

Using '都' (all) with the word.

这是一个好前途。

This is a good future.

Noun phrase '好前途'.

努力工作才有前途。

Only by working hard can one have a future.

Condition '才' + 有 + 前途.

这个工作很有前途。

This job has a lot of potential.

Describing a job as the subject.

你要为前途打算。

You need to plan for your future.

为 (for) + 前途 + 打算 (plan).

他担心自己的前途。

He is worried about his future.

担心 (worry) + object '前途'.

我们看到了前途。

We see the future prospects.

看到 (see/perceive) + 前途.

没有钱就没有前途吗？

Is there no future without money?

Rhetorical question structure.

他是一个有前途的年轻人。

He is a promising young man.

Adjectival phrase '有前途的'.

前途是非常重要的。

Future prospects are very important.

Abstract noun as subject.

他的前途掌握在他自己手里。

His future is in his own hands.

Metaphorical use of '掌握' (grasp/control).

虽然路很远，但前途是光明的。

Though the road is long, the future is bright.

Concession structure '虽然...但...'.

不要为了眼前的利益耽误了前途。

Don't delay/ruin your future for short-term gains.

耽误 (delay/spoil) + 前途.

这个行业的市场前途非常广阔。

The market prospects for this industry are very vast.

Using '前途' for an industry.

他在寻找更有前途的发展机会。

He is looking for more promising development opportunities.

Comparative '更有' + 前途.

父母为他的前途操碎了心。

His parents have worried themselves to death over his future.

Idiomatic expression '操碎了心'.

你觉得学习汉语有前途吗？

Do you think learning Chinese has a good future?

Asking for an opinion on prospects.

他因为犯错失去了大好前途。

He lost a great future because of a mistake.

失去 (lose) + 大好 (excellent) + 前途.

教育的质量关乎国家的前途。

The quality of education concerns the future of the nation.

关乎 (concerns/relates to) + 前途.

他那不可限量的前途让人羡慕。

His limitless future makes people envious.

不可限量 (limitless) as a modifier.

我们必须对人类的前途负责。

We must be responsible for the future of humanity.

对...负责 (be responsible for) + 前途.

在这家夕阳企业，我看不到前途。

In this sunset industry/failing company, I see no future.

夕阳企业 (sunset enterprise) context.

他毅然辞职，去追寻自己的前途。

He resolutely resigned to pursue his own future.

追寻 (pursue) + 前途.

前途是坎坷的，但我们不能放弃。

The road ahead is bumpy, but we cannot give up.

坎坷 (bumpy/rough) describing the path/future.

科学技术的发展改变了人类的前途。

The development of science and technology has changed the future of humanity.

改变 (change) + 前途.

他为了前途，不得不背井离乡。

For the sake of his future, he had to leave his hometown.

背井离乡 (leave home) + 为了前途.

这项政策为经济的长期发展奠定了前途。

This policy laid the foundation for the long-term future of the economy.

奠定 (lay the foundation) + 前途.

在个人利益与国家前途之间，他选择了后者。

Between personal interest and the nation's future, he chose the latter.

Contrast between personal and collective prospects.

他对自己前途的迷茫反映了当代青年的普遍心态。

His confusion about his future reflects the common mindset of contemporary youth.

Reflective/Analytical usage.

这种孤注一掷的行为可能会葬送他的前途。

This 'all-in' behavior might bury/ruin his future.

葬送 (to ruin/bury) + 前途.

前途未卜的局势让投资者感到不安。

The unpredictable situation makes investors feel uneasy.

前途未卜 (unpredictable future) as an idiom.

历史证明，只有改革才有前途。

History proves that only reform leads to a future.

Political/Historical context.

他深知，这次面试关乎他一生的前途。

He knew well that this interview concerned his future for his entire life.

一生的前途 (life-long prospects).

不要被暂时的困难遮蔽了远大的前途。

Don't let temporary difficulties obscure your grand future.

遮蔽 (obscure) + 远大 (grand/lofty) + 前途.

在全球化的浪潮中，民族的前途与世界的命运紧密相连。

In the wave of globalization, the future of a nation is closely linked to the fate of the world.

High-level geopolitical analysis.

这种短视的环保政策无异于在透支子孙后代的前途。

This short-sighted environmental policy is equivalent to overdrawing the future of future generations.

透支 (overdraw) metaphor applied to '前途'.

文学的魅力在于它能为处于绝境的人们指明前途。

The charm of literature lies in its ability to show the way forward for people in desperate situations.

Philosophical/Abstract usage.

在那个动荡的年代，个人的前途往往被历史的洪流所裹挟。

In those turbulent years, individual prospects were often swept away by the torrent of history.

Passive structure '被...所裹挟'.

他以敏锐的洞察力预见了该技术在未来的广阔前途。

With keen insight, he foresaw the vast future prospects of this technology.

预见 (foresee) + 前途.

前途之争本质上是生存权与发展权的博弈。

The struggle over future prospects is essentially a gamble between the right to survive and the right to develop.

Abstract conceptualization.

唯有不断创新，企业才能在激烈的竞争中赢得前途。

Only through continuous innovation can an enterprise win a future in fierce competition.

赢得 (win/gain) + 前途.

他那充满悲剧色彩的前途，早已在性格中埋下了伏笔。

His tragic future prospects had already been foreshadowed in his character.

Literary analysis structure.

Collocations courantes

前途光明

前途无量

前途渺茫

耽误前途

考虑前途

奔前途

关乎前途

前途坎坷

个人前途

大好前途

Phrases Courantes

没前途

— No future; dead end. Used colloquially for jobs or relationships.

这份工作没前途。

有前途

— Promising; has a future. A common compliment.

你是个有前途的小伙子。

各奔前途

— Each going their own way to seek their own future.

毕业后，大家各奔前途。

前途未卜

— The future is unpredictable or uncertain.

由于战争，这个国家前途未卜。

自毁前途

— To ruin one's own future prospects.

犯罪就是在自毁前途。

为了前途

— For the sake of one's future.

为了前途，他一直在努力。

前途广阔

— Vast prospects; great room for development.

这个行业前途广阔。

锦绣前途

— A beautiful and bright future (like embroidered silk).

祝你有锦绣前途。

担心前途

— To be worried about one's prospects.

别总是担心前途。

看重前途

— To value one's future prospects highly.

他很看重自己的前途。

Souvent confondu avec

前途 vs 未来 (wèilái)

未来 is time; 前途 is career/success outlook.

前途 vs 前面 (qiánmiàn)

前面 is physical space (in front); 前途 is metaphorical path.

前途 vs 前天 (qiántiān)

前天 is the day before yesterday; unrelated to prospects.

Expressions idiomatiques

"前途无量"

— Limitless future prospects; highly promising.

年纪轻轻就有此成就，真是前途无量。

Formal/Neutral

"前程似锦"

— The future is as bright and beautiful as brocade.

祝各位毕业生前程似锦。

Formal

"锦绣前程"

— A magnificent future.

他正步入锦绣前程。

Literary

"各奔前程"

— Each goes his own way (after parting).

宴会结束后，大家各奔前程。

Neutral

"前途未卜"

— The future is unknown/uncertain.

公司的前途未卜，员工们很慌张。

Formal

"穷途末路"

— To be at the end of one's rope; no way out.

那个罪犯已经到了穷途末路。

Literary

"柳暗花明"

— Light at the end of the tunnel; a new prospect after a dead end.

就在他绝望时，事情出现了柳暗花明的一幕。

Literary

"康庄大道"

— A wide and smooth road; a bright future path.

我们要走在共同富裕的康庄大道上。

Formal

"大有可为"

— With a great future; much can be accomplished.

这个新兴产业大有可为。

Neutral

"鹏程万里"

— The roc flies ten thousand li; having a bright and grand future.

祝你鹏程万里，事业有成。

Formal

Facile à confondre

前途 vs 前景

Both mean 'prospects.'

前景 is usually for industries, markets, or visual views. 前途 is for people or nations.

市场前景 (Market prospects) vs 个人前途 (Personal prospects).

前途 vs 前程

Almost identical meanings.

前程 is more formal and literary, often used in idioms like 前程似锦.

祝你前程似锦 (Wish you a bright career path).

前途 vs 出路

Both involve a 'way forward.'

出路 is a 'way out' of a difficult situation. 前途 is a general path of development.

寻找出路 (Finding a way out) vs 奔前途 (Striving for a future).

前途 vs 远景

Both involve the future.

远景 is a 'vision' or a 'long-term plan' (like a 20-year plan).

公司的远景 (The company's vision).

前途 vs 命运

Both involve what will happen to someone.

命运 is 'fate' or 'destiny' (often seen as fixed). 前途 is 'prospects' (often seen as something you work for).

改变命运 (Change fate) vs 创造前途 (Create a future).

Structures de phrases

Subj. + 很有前途。

他很有前途。

为了 + Noun + 的前途...

为了孩子的前途，我们要努力。

Subj. + 觉得 + Noun + 没前途。

我觉得这个专业没前途。

前途 + 是 + Adjective + 的。

前途是光明的。

关乎 + ... + 的前途。

这关乎我们每一个人的前途。

前途 + 未卜/无量 (Idiom).

他的前途不可限量。

掌握 + 自己的 + 前途。

你要掌握自己的前途。

耽误 + ... + 的前途。

别耽误了你的大好前途。

Famille de mots

Noms

前途 (qiántú - prospects)

途经 (tújīng - route/via)

路途 (lùtú - journey)

用途 (yòngtú - use/purpose)

Verbes

启途 (qǐtú - to start a journey)

沿途 (yántú - to go along the way)

Adjectifs

半途而废 (bàntú ér fèi - to give up halfway)

Apparenté

未来 (wèilái)

前程 (qiánchéng)

前景 (qiánjǐng)

发展 (fāzhǎn)

机会 (jīhuì)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Chinese.

Erreurs courantes

Using '前途' for 'tomorrow's weather'. → 明天的天气。
前途 is for career/life prospects, not simple future time points.
Saying '他很前途' (He is very future). → 他很有前途。
前途 is a noun, not an adjective. You need '有' (have) to describe someone.
Saying '我做了一个好前途' (I made a good future). → 我有一个大好前途 / 我创造了一个好前途。
The verb '做' (to make/do) doesn't collocate with '前途'.
Confusing '前途' with '前面' (physical front). → 他在我前面 (He is in front of me).
前面 is spatial; 前途 is metaphorical.
Using '前途' for a movie's success. → 这部电影的前景/票房。
前途 is primarily for people, nations, or industries, not specific products.

Astuces

Pair with '光明'

The most common adjective for '前途' is '光明' (bright). Use this pair to describe any promising person or situation.

Time vs. Path

Remember: 未来 = Time. 前途 = Path. You can't have a 'meeting in the 前途,' but you can have a 'job with no 前途.'

Job Interviews

In interviews, use '前途' to show you are thinking about long-term growth. It shows ambition and seriousness.

No 'Make'

Don't use '做' (make) with '前途.' Use '有' (have), '创造' (create), or '开拓' (open up).

Family Pressure

If a Chinese parent talks about '前途,' they are likely talking about your career stability and ability to support the family.

Learn the Idiom

Learn '前途无量' (limitless future). It is a very high-level compliment you can give to a colleague or a student.

Tone Matters

Pay attention to the tones: qián (2nd) tú (2nd). If the tones are off, it might sound like other words.

Topic-Comment

Use the topic-comment structure: '关于我的前途，我还没想好。' (Regarding my future, I haven't decided yet.)

Professionalism

When discussing the economy, '前景' is often better than '前途,' but '国家的前途' is perfectly formal.

The 'Road' Radical

The character '途' has the '辶' (walking) radical. This helps you remember it's about a 'road' or 'journey.'

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Qián' as a 'Coin' (it sounds like 钱 - money) and 'Tú' as 'Two' roads. Your 'Qián-Tú' is the path to your money and success!

Association visuelle

Imagine a long, golden highway stretching toward a rising sun. You are standing at the start, looking 'Forward' (前) at the 'Road' (途).

Word Web

光明 (Bright) 光明的前途 (Bright future) 职业 (Career) 职业前途 (Career prospects) 国家 (Country) 国家的前途 (The country's future) 没有 (No/None) 没前途 (No future)

Défi

Try to use '前途' in three different sentences today: once about your job, once about a friend, and once about a new skill you are learning.

Origine du mot

Composed of '前' (qián - front/ahead) and '途' (tú - road/way). It dates back to ancient texts where it literally meant the road ahead on a physical journey.

Sens originel : The physical path lying in front of a traveler.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when telling someone their job or major 'has no 前途' (没前途); it can be seen as a very harsh and personal insult.

In English, we often say 'prospects' or 'outlook.' We focus more on personal fulfillment, whereas 'qiántú' has a stronger connotation of social success and stability.

Lu Xun's writings often discuss the 'qiántú' of the Chinese nation. Common graduation song lyrics often include '前程似锦' or '光明的前途'. Modern Chinese TV dramas (like 'Ode to Joy') frequently feature characters debating their career 'qiántú' in big cities.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Career Advising

职业前途
晋升前途
跳槽的前途
有前途的行业

Parenting

为了孩子的前途
耽误前途
有大前途
前途光明

Economic News

经济前途
市场前途
行业的前途
前途未卜

Education

学习前途
考研的前途
出国的前途
专业的前途

Personal Reflection

我的前途
考虑前途
对前途感到迷茫
掌握前途

Amorces de conversation

"你觉得现在哪个行业最有前途？ (Which industry do you think has the most future right now?)"

"你对自己的职业前途有什么规划吗？ (Do you have any plans for your career prospects?)"

"你认为学习人工智能有前途吗？ (Do you think studying AI is promising?)"

"在你的国家，医生是一个有前途的职业吗？ (In your country, is being a doctor a promising career?)"

"如果你觉得公司没前途，你会马上辞职吗？ (If you felt the company had no future, would you resign immediately?)"

Sujets d'écriture

写一写你对未来十年前途的看法。 (Write about your views on your prospects for the next ten years.)

描述一个你认为很有前途的人，并说明理由。 (Describe someone you think is very promising and explain why.)

讨论一下教育如何影响一个国家的前途。 (Discuss how education affects a nation's future.)

你曾经为了前途做出过什么艰难的决定吗？ (Have you ever made a difficult decision for the sake of your future?)

‘前途光明’对你来说意味着什么？ (What does 'bright future' mean to you?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, '前途' refers to long-term career or life prospects. For 'next week,' you should use '下周' or '未来一周.' Using '前途' for short-term time sounds incorrect to native speakers.

While both can sometimes be used, '有前途' is much more common when describing a person's potential or a job's viability. '有未来' sounds slightly more westernized or abstract.

It is a neutral noun. Its meaning depends on the adjectives used. '光明的前途' is positive, while '渺茫的前途' is negative. However, the phrase '有前途' by itself is positive.

Generally, no. We use '前景' or '市场' for commercial products. '前途' is reserved for people, organizations, or collective entities like countries.

You can say '没前途的工作' (a job with no future) or '看不到前途的工作.' Both are very common expressions.

Yes, '你真有前途' is a common sarcastic remark for someone doing something silly. Just be sure the context makes the sarcasm clear.

Common verbs include: 有 (have), 失去 (lose), 担心 (worry about), 考虑 (consider), 奔 (strive for), 关乎 (concern), and 奠定 (lay foundation).

It is a standard word used in both daily conversation and formal writing. It is neither overly slangy nor overly academic.

Yes, but it is more common to say '前途规划' or '对前途的规划' (planning for the future).

You can say '祝你前途光明' (Wish you a bright future) or the more formal '祝你前程似锦' (Wish you a future as bright as brocade).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes