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B1 noun/verb #7,000 most common 11 min read

迁徙

qianxi Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 迁徙 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 迁徙 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '迁徙' (qiānxǐ) yourself, but you might see it in simple books about animals. Think of it as a special word for 'moving' that animals do. Just like you go to school, birds 'move' to warm places in the winter. In Chinese, we call this big move '迁徙'. It is different from '搬家' (moving house) because animals don't have houses with keys! They just follow the sun and the food. Imagine a bird flying very, very far away—that is '迁徙'. You can remember it by looking at the birds in the sky. When they fly together in a 'V' shape, they are '迁徙'. It is a big, long trip. Even though it is a hard word, just remember: Big trip + Animals = 迁徙.

At the A2 level, you can start to understand that '迁徙' (qiānxǐ) is a formal way to say 'migration'. You might see it in short articles about nature. For example, '鸟类在秋天迁徙' (Birds migrate in autumn). Here, '迁徙' is the action. You should know that it's for animals or big groups of people in history. Don't use it for yourself when you move to a new dormitory! That would be '搬家'. A2 students should recognize that '迁' means 'to change or move' and '徙' also means 'to move'. This word is usually used with '从...到...' (from... to...). For example: '从北方迁徙到南方' (Migrate from the north to the south). It helps you describe the world of nature and science in a more professional way than just using '去' (go) or '走' (walk).

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '迁徙' (qiānxǐ) in both written and spoken contexts when discussing biology, geography, or history. This is a B1 level word because it requires understanding specific contexts. You should know that '迁徙' can be a noun (The migration was long) or a verb (They migrated). You will use it to talk about environmental issues, such as how climate change affects animal '迁徙'. You should also be aware of common phrases like '迁徙路线' (migration route). At this level, you start to see the word in news reports about '春运' (the Spring Festival travel rush), described as a 'mass migration'. It is a key word for describing trends and patterns rather than just individual actions. You should also be able to distinguish it from '移民' (immigrate) which is more about laws and countries.

At the B2 level, '迁徙' (qiānxǐ) should be a part of your active academic vocabulary. You should use it to discuss complex topics like '人口迁徙' (population migration) and its impact on urbanization. You will understand its nuances in literature, where it might represent a metaphorical journey. You should be comfortable using it in formal essays. For instance, you could write about the '迁徙自由' (freedom of movement) as a human right. At this level, you should also recognize the word in more technical scientific texts, discussing '迁徙本能' (migratory instinct) or '迁徙模式' (migration patterns). You are expected to use it correctly without confusing it with '搬迁' (relocation) or '转移' (transfer). You understand that '迁徙' implies a large-scale, often systemic movement that is significant to the survival or development of a group.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep appreciation for the historical and cultural weight of '迁徙' (qiānxǐ). You can discuss the '民族大迁徙' (Great Migration of Peoples) and how it shaped modern civilizations. You understand the subtle differences between '迁徙', '流徙', and '搬迁'. You can use '迁徙' in a poetic or philosophical sense, perhaps discussing the 'spiritual migration' of an author's ideas. In professional settings, you might use it to discuss '劳动力迁徙' (labor migration) and its socio-economic consequences, including the impact on rural 'left-behind' children. Your usage should be precise, reflecting an understanding of the word's formal register. You can analyze how the term is used in government white papers or high-level academic journals to describe demographic shifts and ecological changes.

At the C2 level, you master '迁徙' (qiānxǐ) in all its complexity, including its use in classical Chinese contexts and modern socio-political discourse. You can use it to articulate nuanced arguments about the history of human evolution or the global refugee crisis. You are familiar with literary works that use '迁徙' as a central theme of displacement and identity. You can effortlessly switch between the biological, sociological, and metaphorical meanings of the word. You might use it in a speech to describe the 'migration of data' in a high-tech context or the 'migration of capital' in global finance, though these are more modern extensions. Your understanding includes the etymological roots of the characters and how they have evolved from ancient scripts to their current usage. You can critique the use of the word in different media and understand the emotional or political connotations it carries in specific contexts.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

迁徙 in 30 Seconds

迁徙 (qiānxǐ) means migration. It is used for animals and large human groups.
It is a formal word. Do not use it for moving to a new apartment.
Commonly used in biology (birds, fish) and history (tribes, civilizations).
It implies a grand, purposeful, or cyclical journey across long distances.

The term 迁徙 (qiānxǐ) is a sophisticated Chinese word that describes a grand scale of movement. Unlike the common word for moving house (搬家 bānjiā) or simply walking (走 zǒu), 迁徙 carries a sense of weight, distance, and often necessity. It is most frequently used in two distinct contexts: the biological seasonal movement of animals and the historical or sociological movement of large groups of humans. When you use 迁徙, you are painting a picture of a journey that is often cyclical, driven by survival, or marking a significant change in geographic location for a community or species.

Biological Context: In biology, this refers to the instinctive, seasonal travel of animals. For example, birds flying south for the winter or wildebeests crossing the Serengeti in search of greener pastures. It implies a return trip or a natural cycle.
Human Context: In history or sociology, it refers to the mass movement of people. This could be ancient tribes moving due to climate change, refugees fleeing conflict, or the large-scale migration of workers during economic shifts. It focuses on the collective movement rather than an individual's relocation.

每年秋天，成千上万的候鸟开始向南迁徙以躲避严寒。(Every autumn, thousands of migratory birds begin to migrate south to escape the severe cold.)

The word is composed of two characters. 迁 (qiān) means to move, change, or promote. 徙 (xǐ) specifically means to move one's abode or to shift. Together, they form a formal term that suggests a significant transition. You will find this word in textbooks, nature documentaries, and academic papers. It is not typically used when telling a friend you moved to a new apartment across town; for that, you would use 搬家. Using 迁徙 in a casual context would sound overly dramatic, almost as if you were comparing your move to the Great Migration of the African plains.

由于干旱，这个古老的部落不得不向水源充足的地方迁徙。(Due to the drought, this ancient tribe had to migrate to a place with sufficient water.)

Historically, 迁徙 has been a central theme in Chinese literature and history. The concept of 'The Great Migration' (大迁徙) often refers to periods in Chinese history where entire populations moved from the north to the south of the Yangtze River to escape war or famine. This word thus carries a historical resonance that speaks to the resilience and movement of the Chinese people over millennia. In modern environmental science, it is used to discuss how climate change affects the paths of animals, making it a highly relevant term in today's global discourse on ecology.

环境变化正在改变许多鱼类的迁徙路线。(Environmental changes are altering the migration routes of many fish species.)

Tone and Register: The tone is formal and scientific. It is appropriate for written reports, news broadcasts, and educational settings. It is rarely used in slang or informal text messages unless used ironically to describe a long journey.

人类的文明史在某种程度上就是一部不断的迁徙史。(The history of human civilization is, to some extent, a history of continuous migration.)

大马哈鱼通过漫长的迁徙回到它们的出生地去产卵。(Salmon return to their birthplace to spawn through a long migration.)

Using 迁徙 (qiānxǐ) correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as both a noun and a verb. In its noun form, it often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, frequently paired with verbs like '进行' (to carry out) or '完成' (to complete). As a verb, it describes the action of moving from point A to point B on a grand scale.

As a Noun: When used as a noun, it refers to the phenomenon or the process of migration. Example: '迁徙的过程非常艰辛' (The process of migration is very arduous). It is often preceded by adjectives like '大规模的' (large-scale) or '季节性的' (seasonal).
As a Verb: As a verb, it often follows the pattern '从 [Location A] 迁徙到 [Location B]'. Example: '这群大象从森林迁徙到了草原' (This herd of elephants migrated from the forest to the grassland).

为了寻找更肥沃的土地，古代先民们不断地进行迁徙。(In search of more fertile land, ancient ancestors continuously carried out migrations.)

One important grammatical note is that 迁徙 is an intransitive verb in many contexts, meaning it doesn't always take a direct object without a preposition. You migrate *to* a place or *along* a route. It is also common to see it in the form of '迁徙路线' (migration route) or '迁徙季节' (migration season). These compound nouns are essential for discussing wildlife biology or anthropology in Chinese.

科学家们利用卫星追踪技术来研究鸟类的迁徙路径。(Scientists use satellite tracking technology to study the migration paths of birds.)

In academic writing, you might encounter the phrase '人口迁徙' (population migration). This is the standard term for the movement of people across borders or regions. For instance, '工业革命导致了大规模的人口迁徙' (The Industrial Revolution led to large-scale population migration). Notice how the word maintains its formal, structural feel here, focusing on the trend rather than individual stories.

这种蝴蝶的迁徙跨越了数千公里，令人叹为观止。(The migration of this butterfly spans thousands of kilometers, which is breathtaking.)

Common Verb Pairings: - 开始迁徙 (To begin migrating)
- 停止迁徙 (To stop migrating)
- 迫使...迁徙 (To force... to migrate)
- 观察迁徙 (To observe migration)

寒流的到来是刺激动物开始迁徙的主要信号。(The arrival of a cold wave is the main signal that triggers animals to start migrating.)

在干旱季节，许多食草动物会向更湿润的北方迁徙。(During the dry season, many herbivores migrate towards the wetter north.)

You will encounter 迁徙 (qiānxǐ) in environments where information is presented formally or educationally. It is a staple of the 'Voice of Nature' style documentaries (like those narrated by Zhao Zhongxiang in China), where the epic journeys of wildlife are described with poetic gravity. If you are watching a news report about the Spring Festival travel rush (春运), journalists might occasionally use the term '人类历史上最大规模的周期性迁徙' (The largest periodic migration in human history) to emphasize the sheer scale of the movement.

News and Media: Reports on climate change often discuss the '迁徙' of species moving to higher latitudes. Political news might use it when discussing the '迁徙自由' (freedom of movement/migration) or the crisis of displaced persons.
Educational Settings: In biology class, students learn about '迁徙行为' (migratory behavior). In history class, they study the '民族大迁徙' (The Great Migration of Peoples) during the fall of the Roman Empire or the Jin Dynasty.

纪录片解说：随着第一场雪的降临，角马群开始了它们壮丽的迁徙之旅。(Documentary narration: With the fall of the first snow, the wildebeest herds begin their magnificent migration journey.)

In Chinese literature, 迁徙 is often used metaphorically to describe the wandering of the soul or the shifting of cultural tides. Writers like Sanmao or Lu Xun might use it to describe the feeling of being a 'migrant' in one's own land or the constant search for a spiritual home. In this sense, the word transcends its biological roots and becomes a philosophical concept representing the inherent restlessness of human existence.

这本历史书详细记录了客家人南下迁徙的艰辛历程。(This history book records in detail the arduous journey of the Hakka people migrating south.)

Another modern context is urban planning and economic geography. Experts talk about '劳动力迁徙' (labor migration) from rural areas to megacities like Shenzhen or Shanghai. This is a hot topic in Chinese society, as it involves the 'hukou' system and the social integration of migrant workers. While '流动人口' (floating population) is the common term for the people themselves, '迁徙' is the term for the movement itself.

我们需要关注城市化进程中大规模人口迁徙带来的社会挑战。(We need to pay attention to the social challenges brought by large-scale population migration in the process of urbanization.)

Common Media Phrases: - 迁徙的壮观景象 (The spectacular sight of migration)
- 保护迁徙走廊 (Protecting migration corridors)
- 迁徙鸟类保护区 (Migratory bird sanctuaries)

由于全球变暖，许多北极物种的迁徙模式被打乱了。(Due to global warming, the migration patterns of many Arctic species have been disrupted.)

The most frequent mistake learners make with 迁徙 (qiānxǐ) is using it in place of more common, everyday words for 'moving'. Because English uses 'move' for everything from shifting a chair to moving to a new country, learners often reach for the most complex-sounding word they know, leading to unnatural sentences. It is vital to distinguish 迁徙 from 搬家 (bānjiā), 移动 (yídòng), and 转移 (zhuǎnyí).

Confusing with 搬家 (bānjiā): Mistake: 我下周要迁徙到新公寓。 (I am migrating to a new apartment next week.)
Correct: 我下周要搬家到新公寓。迁徙 is for species or large groups, not your personal change of address.
Confusing with 移动 (yídòng): Mistake: 请把这张桌子迁徙一下。 (Please migrate this table a bit.)
Correct: 请把这张桌子移动一下。移动 is for physical movement of objects or short-range movement.

错误用法：由于工作原因，我迁徙到了上海。(Incorrect: Due to work, I migrated to Shanghai.)
正确用法：由于工作原因，我搬到了上海。(Correct: Due to work, I moved to Shanghai.)

Another mistake involves the 'scale' of the word. 迁徙 implies a journey that has a destination and a purpose, often across significant geographical boundaries. Using it for a simple commute or a walk in the park is incorrect. Furthermore, learners sometimes forget that 迁徙 is a formal word. Using it in a very casual, slang-heavy conversation can make you sound like a textbook or a narrator, which might be jarring for native speakers unless you are intentionally being poetic or humorous.

错误用法：大自然迁徙了这些鸟。(Incorrect: Nature migrated these birds.)
正确用法：这些鸟在大自然中迁徙。(Correct: These birds migrate in nature.)

Finally, watch out for the pronunciation. The character 徙 is 'xǐ' (third tone), but learners often mispronounce it as 'tú' because it looks similar to 徒 (tú, as in 徒弟 apprentice). Confusing 'qiānxǐ' with 'qiāntú' would result in a non-existent word or a complete misunderstanding. Always double-check the '彳' (step) radical versus the '走' (walk) radical in similar-looking characters.

注意读音：是迁徙 (qiānxǐ)，而不是迁徒 (qiāntú)。(Note the pronunciation: it is qiānxǐ, not qiāntú.)

Comparison Table: - 迁徙: Massive, seasonal, biological/historical.
- 搬家: Personal, moving apartments/houses.
- 转移: Shifting focus, shifting troops, or moving objects to safety.
- 移民: Legal/political movement to another country.

To truly master 迁徙 (qiānxǐ), you must understand the landscape of Chinese words related to movement. Chinese is rich with specific terms for 'moving', and choosing the right one depends on the context of who is moving, why they are moving, and the scale of the journey. Below are the most common alternatives and how they differ from 迁徙.

1. 移民 (yímín) - Immigration/Emigration: While 迁徙 focuses on the physical journey and biological/historical patterns, 移民 focuses on the legal and political act of changing one's country of residence. You 'migrate' (迁徙) across a continent, but you 'immigrate' (移民) to Canada. 移民 is also used as a noun to refer to the person (an immigrant).
2. 搬迁 (bānqiān) - Relocation: This is a formal term for moving a business, a factory, or a large group of residents due to government planning. It is more bureaucratic than 迁徙. For example, '公司下个月搬迁' (The company is relocating next month). It doesn't have the 'natural' or 'evolutionary' connotation that 迁徙 has.
3. 转移 (zhuǎnyí) - Transfer/Shift: 转移 is about shifting something from one place to another, often for safety or strategic reasons. It is used for 'transferring attention', 'shifting troops', or 'evacuating people'. It is much more versatile but lacks the specific 'seasonal/biological' meaning of 迁徙.

比较：
1. 候鸟迁徙 (Birds migrate - biological).
2. 他移民到了美国 (He immigrated to the US - legal).
3. 工厂搬迁到了郊区 (The factory relocated to the suburbs - business).

For more poetic or literary contexts, you might see 流徙 (liúxǐ), which implies wandering or being forced to move from place to place without a permanent home, often used in historical novels about refugees or exiled scholars. Another related term is 洄游 (huíyóu), which is the specific term for fish migration (like salmon swimming upstream). While you can use 迁徙 for fish, 洄游 is the more precise biological term for aquatic species.

在漫长的历史中，人类经历了无数次的大规模迁徙和文化融合。(Throughout long history, humanity has experienced countless large-scale migrations and cultural fusions.)

In summary, choose 迁徙 when the movement is grand, natural, or historical. Choose 搬家 for personal life, 移民 for national borders, 搬迁 for organizations, and 转移 for shifting focus or location for a specific purpose. Mastering these distinctions will make your Chinese sound much more precise and sophisticated.

Quick Reference: - 迁徙: Nature/History (Migration)
- 搬家: Personal (Moving house)
- 移民: Political (Immigration)
- 搬迁: Official (Relocation)
- 洄游: Aquatic (Fish migration)

科学家们观察到，由于气候变暖，森林里的动物正在向高海拔地区迁徙。(Scientists have observed that due to climate warming, animals in the forest are migrating to higher altitudes.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, '迁' was often used when a king moved his palace or when an official was promoted (迁升). It carried a sense of significant, auspicious movement.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tɕʰjɛn ɕi/

US /tɕʰjɛn ɕi/

In Mandarin, the stress is usually balanced, but the third tone on 'xǐ' often feels more prominent because of its pitch change.

Rhymes With

天 (tiān) 先 (xiān) 边 (biān) 喜 (xǐ) 笔 (bǐ) 米 (mǐ) 起 (qǐ) 里 (lǐ)

Common Errors

Mispronouncing '徙' (xǐ) as 'tú' (徒).
Using the second tone for 'qiān'. It must be flat and high.
Failing to dip low enough on the third tone of 'xǐ'.
Confusing the 'q' sound with a hard 'k' sound.
Mixing up the 'x' sound with a standard English 's' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

The characters are complex to write but recognizable in context for B1 learners.

Writing 5/5

The character '徙' is difficult to write correctly from memory due to its many strokes.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward if tones are mastered.

Listening 3/5

Distinctive sound, unlikely to be confused with other common words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

搬 (bān) 移动 (yídòng) 动物 (dòngwù) 地方 (dìfang) 改变 (gǎibiàn)

Learn Next

繁衍 (fányǎn) 栖息 (qīxī) 物种 (wùzhǒng) 演化 (yǎnhuà) 生态 (shēngtài)

Advanced

流离失所 (liúlí shīsuǒ) 溯河洄游 (sùhé huíyóu) 地缘政治 (dìyuán zhèngzhì) 城市化 (chéngshìhuà)

Grammar to Know

Directional Complements

鸟儿迁徙[回去]了。

Preposition '从' and '到'

[从]北方迁徙[到]南方。

The 'Passive' with 迫使

干旱[迫使]动物迁徙。

Using '进行' for formal actions

[进行]大规模的迁徙。

Adjective placement with '的'

[长途]的迁徙之旅。

Examples by Level

小鸟往南方迁徙。

The little bird migrates to the south.

Simple Subject + Prepositional Phrase + Verb.

冬天到了，大雁迁徙了。

Winter is here, the wild geese have migrated.

Time phrase + Subject + Verb + Particle 'le' for completed action.

鱼在水里迁徙。

Fish migrate in the water.

Subject + Location + Verb.

它们去哪里迁徙？

Where are they migrating to?

Question word 'nǎlǐ' used with the verb.

很多动物都要迁徙。

Many animals need to migrate.

Adjective 'hěnduō' + Noun + Auxiliary 'yào' + Verb.

迁徙是一场远行。

Migration is a long journey.

Noun as subject + 'shì' + Noun phrase.

我不迁徙，我住在这里。

I don't migrate; I live here.

Negation 'bù' before the verb.

看，那些鸟在迁徙！

Look, those birds are migrating!

Imperative 'kàn' + Subject + 'zài' for continuous action.

这种鸟每年都会迁徙两次。

This kind of bird migrates twice every year.

Subject + Time frequency + Verb.

它们为什么要迁徙到南方？

Why do they migrate to the south?

Interrogative 'wèishénme' + Verb + Destination.

迁徙的路程非常远。

The migration distance is very far.

Noun phrase 'qiānxǐ de lùchéng' as subject.

非洲的大象也会迁徙。

African elephants also migrate.

Adverb 'yě' (also) used before the verb.

科学家在观察鸟类的迁徙。

Scientists are observing the migration of birds.

'zài' + Verb + Object (Noun phrase).

因为天气冷，所以它们迁徙。

Because the weather is cold, they migrate.

Conjunction 'yīnwèi... suǒyǐ...' (because... so...).

这是一种自然的迁徙行为。

This is a natural migratory behavior.

'shì' + Adjective phrase + Noun.

迁徙的时候，它们很辛苦。

When migrating, they work very hard.

Time clause '...de shíhòu'.

候鸟的迁徙规律引起了专家的注意。

The migration patterns of migratory birds have caught the attention of experts.

Complex Subject (Possessive) + Verb + Object.

由于环境恶化，一些动物被迫迁徙。

Due to environmental degradation, some animals are forced to migrate.

Passive construction 'bèi' + Verb.

人类历史上发生过多次大规模迁徙。

Many large-scale migrations have occurred in human history.

Existential sentence: Time/Place + Verb + Object.

为了生存，这些部落不得不向南迁徙。

For survival, these tribes had no choice but to migrate south.

Purpose phrase 'wèile...' + Modal 'bùdébù'.

这种蝴蝶的迁徙路线跨越了三个国家。

The migration route of this butterfly spans three countries.

Noun phrase 'qiānxǐ lùxiàn' as subject.

政府正在研究如何管理人口迁徙。

The government is studying how to manage population migration.

Verb 'yánjiū' + Interrogative clause as object.

迁徙不仅是身体的移动，也是生命的挑战。

Migration is not only physical movement but also a challenge of life.

Correlative 'bùjǐn... yě...' (not only... but also...).

每到春天，这条河流就会迎来洄游迁徙的鱼群。

Every spring, this river welcomes schools of fish migrating upstream.

Time phrase 'měi dào...' + Subject + 'jiù' + Verb.

气候变化对全球物种的迁徙模式产生了深远影响。

Climate change has had a profound impact on the migration patterns of global species.

'duì... chǎnshēngle yingxiǎng' (produced an effect on...).

这次人口大迁徙促进了不同文化之间的交流。

This great population migration promoted exchange between different cultures.

Subject + Verb 'cùjìn' + Object.

我们需要建立更多的自然保护区来保障动物的迁徙通道。

We need to establish more nature reserves to ensure animal migration corridors.

Verb 'jiànlì' + Object + Purpose clause 'lái bǎozhàng'.

这种迁徙本能是经过数百万年进化而来的。

This migratory instinct has evolved over millions of years.

'shì... ér lái de' construction for origin.

在工业化进程中，农村人口向城市的迁徙不可避免。

In the process of industrialization, the migration of rural populations to cities is inevitable.

Prepositional phrase 'zài... zhōng' + Subject + Adjective.

候鸟在迁徙过程中依靠地磁场来导航。

Migratory birds rely on the Earth's magnetic field to navigate during migration.

Subject + 'zài... guòchéng zhōng' + Verb 'yīkào'.

尽管迁徙充满危险，但它们依然坚持前行。

Although migration is full of danger, they still persist in moving forward.

Conjunction 'jǐnguǎn... dàn...' (although... but...).

我们要尊重每个民族迁徙和定居的权利。

We must respect the right of every ethnic group to migrate and settle.

Verb 'zūnzhòng' + Object (Noun phrase with 'quánlì').

城市化引发的大规模人口迁徙彻底改变了中国的社会结构。

The large-scale population migration triggered by urbanization has completely changed China's social structure.

Participle phrase 'yǐnfā de' modifying the subject.

物种迁徙不仅是生态现象，更是全球气候变化的晴雨表。

Species migration is not just an ecological phenomenon, but also a barometer of global climate change.

Correlative 'bùjǐn... gèng shì...' (not only... but even more...).

历史学家通过研究古代迁徙路径，揭示了人类文明的起源。

By studying ancient migration paths, historians have revealed the origins of human civilization.

'tōngguò... (action), (result)' structure.

在这一文学作品中，迁徙被隐喻为灵魂对自由的永恒追求。

In this literary work, migration is used as a metaphor for the soul's eternal pursuit of freedom.

Passive/Descriptive 'bèi yǐnyù wéi' (is metaphorically called).

跨境迁徙涉及复杂的法律程序和国际政治博弈。

Cross-border migration involves complex legal procedures and international political maneuvering.

Subject + Verb 'shèjí' (involves) + Complex object.

为了应对人口迁徙带来的压力，城市基础设施亟需升级。

To cope with the pressure brought by population migration, urban infrastructure urgently needs upgrading.

Purpose phrase 'wèile yìngduì...' + Subject + Adverb 'jíxū'.

迁徙的代价往往是巨大的，包括文化身份的断裂与重塑。

The cost of migration is often enormous, including the fragmentation and reshaping of cultural identity.

Subject + 'wǎngwǎng shì' + Adjective + 'bāokuò' (including).

保护候鸟迁徙停歇地的湿地生态系统至关重要。

Protecting the wetland ecosystems that serve as stopover sites for migratory birds is crucial.

Verb phrase as subject + Adjective 'zhìguān zhòngyào'.

全球化背景下的资本迁徙与劳动力流动呈现出前所未有的复杂性。

Capital migration and labor mobility in the context of globalization exhibit unprecedented complexity.

Contextual phrase + Subject (Compound) + Verb + Object.

游牧民族的迁徙史是一部与自然环境博弈的宏伟史诗。

The migration history of nomadic peoples is a grand epic of maneuvering with the natural environment.

Subject + 'shì' + Complex Noun Phrase.

生态走廊的断裂严重阻碍了野生动物的季节性迁徙，威胁到生物多样性。

The fragmentation of ecological corridors severely hinders the seasonal migration of wildlife, threatening biodiversity.

Subject + Adverb 'yánzhòng' + Verb 'zǔài' + Clause.

迁徙这一主题在流亡文学中占据着核心地位，反映了人类的流离失所感。

The theme of migration occupies a central position in exile literature, reflecting a sense of human displacement.

Appositive 'qiānxǐ zhè yī zhǔtí' + Verb phrase.

随着地缘政治局势的动荡，非自愿性迁徙已成为全球治理的重大挑战。

With the turbulence of the geopolitical situation, involuntary migration has become a major challenge for global governance.

'suízhe...' (along with) + Subject + 'yǐ chéngwéi' (has become).

深入剖析人口迁徙的动因，有助于制定更具包容性的公共政策。

A deep analysis of the drivers of population migration helps in formulating more inclusive public policies.

Verb phrase as subject + 'yǒuzhùyú' (contributes to).

迁徙不仅是空间的位移，更是时间维度上生命意志的延续。

Migration is not just a displacement in space, but a continuation of the will to live in the dimension of time.

Philosophical 'bùjǐn shì... gèng shì...' contrast.

在数字时代，信息的迁徙速度已经超越了物理空间的限制。

In the digital age, the migration speed of information has surpassed the limits of physical space.

Time phrase + Subject + 'yǐjīng chāoyuèle' (has already surpassed).

Synonyms

迁移移居搬迁移动

Antonyms

定居驻守

Common Collocations

大规模迁徙

季节性迁徙

迁徙路线

迁徙季节

人口迁徙

被迫迁徙

自由迁徙

迁徙通道

停止迁徙

迁徙规律

Common Phrases

候鸟迁徙

— The migration of migratory birds. This is the most common use of the word.

每年秋天，我们都能看到候鸟迁徙的壮观场景。

民族大迁徙

— The Great Migration of Peoples. Refers to historical mass movements of ethnic groups.

民族大迁徙深刻地改变了欧洲的版图。

鱼群迁徙

— The migration of schools of fish. Used in marine biology and fishing.

洋流的变化会影响鱼群迁徙的方向。

迁徙本能

— Migratory instinct. The biological drive that makes animals move.

这种迁徙本能是与生俱来的，不需要学习。

远距离迁徙

— Long-distance migration. Movement across continents or oceans.

极燕鸥是世界上远距离迁徙的冠军。

迁徙自由

— Freedom of migration/movement. A political and human rights term.

迁徙自由是现代社会公民的一项基本权利。

迁徙路径

— Migration path. The specific track taken during migration.

这条迁徙路径已经存在了数千年。

春运迁徙

— The Spring Festival migration. A modern term for the CNY travel rush.

春运被誉为人类历史上最大规模的周期性迁徙。

为了生存而迁徙

— Migrating for survival. Often used in documentaries.

在非洲草原上，成千上万的动物为了生存而迁徙。

跨国迁徙

— Transnational migration. Movement across national borders.

跨国迁徙带来的文化冲突是一个复杂的社会问题。

Often Confused With

迁徙 vs 搬家

搬家 is for individuals moving house; 迁徙 is for species or large groups.

迁徙 vs 移动

移动 is general movement; 迁徙 is a large-scale relocation journey.

迁徙 vs 移民

移民 involves changing nationality or legal residence; 迁徙 focuses on the physical movement.

Idioms & Expressions

"流离迁徙"

— To be displaced and forced to move from place to place. Expresses hardship.

在那个动荡的年代，无数百姓流离迁徙。

Literary

"择木而栖"

— Literally: to choose a tree to roost in. Metaphorically: to choose a good leader or place to live.

鸟儿懂得择木而栖，人也应该寻找更好的发展机会。

Formal

"叶落归根"

— Fallen leaves return to their roots. To return to one's hometown after a long migration.

他在海外生活多年，最终还是决定叶落归根。

Common

"背井离乡"

— To leave one's hometown, often for survival or work. The start of a migration.

为了谋生，他不得不背井离乡去大城市打工。

Common

"四海为家"

— To make one's home anywhere in the world. Describes a person who migrates constantly.

作为一名探险家，他多年来四海为家。

Neutral

"颠沛流离"

— To wander from place to place in hardship and poverty.

战争让他过上了颠沛流离的生活。

Literary

"随波逐流"

— To drift with the current. Sometimes used for unintentional migration of aquatic life.

有些浮游生物只是随波逐流地迁徙。

Neutral

"安土重迁"

— Attached to one's native land and unwilling to move. The psychological opposite of migration.

中国人自古就有安土重迁的传统观念。

Formal

"东奔西走"

— To run here and there. Describes busy, frequent movement/migration.

为了生活，他整天东奔西走。

Informal

"流芳百世"

— To leave a good reputation for a hundred generations. Not directly migration, but often used for those whose ideas 'migrate' through time.

他的功绩将流芳百世。

Formal

Easily Confused

迁徙 vs 迁移

Both mean 'move'.

迁移 is more general (moving data, files, or people). 迁徙 specifically implies a journey or a biological cycle.

数据迁移 (Data migration) vs 候鸟迁徙 (Bird migration).

迁徙 vs 搬迁

Both are formal.

搬迁 is usually for organizations or residents being moved by an authority. 迁徙 is more about natural or historical trends.

工厂搬迁 (Factory relocation).

迁徙 vs 流徙

Both share '徙'.

流徙 has a negative connotation of wandering without a home due to hardship.

流徙他乡 (Wandering in a foreign land).

迁徙 vs 洄游

Both are biological migration.

洄游 is strictly for aquatic animals (fish, whales) moving in water.

大马哈鱼洄游 (Salmon migration).

迁徙 vs 转场

Used for moving herds.

转场 is a specific term for nomadic herders moving livestock between seasonal pastures.

牧民转场 (Herdsmen moving pastures).

Sentence Patterns

动物 + 迁徙 + 到 + 地方

大雁迁徙到南方。

因为 + 原因 + ，所以 + 动物 + 迁徙

因为天气冷，所以鸟儿迁徙。

从 + A + 迁徙 + 到 + B

它们从非洲迁徙到欧洲。

进行 + (规模) + 的 + 迁徙

进行大规模的迁徙。

由于...，被迫迁徙

由于战争，难民被迫迁徙。

迁徙 + 路线/模式/规律

研究迁徙模式很重要。

迁徙 + 被隐喻为...

迁徙被隐喻为追求自由。

...背景下的...迁徙

全球化背景下的资本迁徙。

Word Family

Nouns

迁徙者 (qiānxǐzhě) - Migrant (rarely used for people, more for animals in literature)

迁徙地 (qiānxǐdì) - Migration destination

迁徙性 (qiānxǐxìng) - Migratory nature

Verbs

迁 (qiān) - To move/relocate

徙 (xǐ) - To move/shift (archaic/formal)

搬迁 (bānqiān) - To relocate

Adjectives

迁徙的 (qiānxǐ de) - Migratory

长途迁徙的 (chángtú qiānxǐ de) - Long-distance migratory

候鸟 (hòuniǎo) - Migratory bird

栖息地 (qīxīdì) - Habitat

繁殖 (fánzhí) - Reproduction

生存 (shēngcún) - Survival

路线 (lùxiàn) - Route

How to Use It

frequency

High in scientific and historical literature; medium in daily news; low in casual speech.

Common Mistakes

我迁徙到新家了。 → 我搬到新家了。
迁徙 is for grand scales, not personal house moving.
读音：迁徒 (qiāntú) → 读音：迁徙 (qiānxǐ)
Confusing the character with its similar-looking neighbor.
大自然迁徙了这些鸟。 → 这些鸟在大自然中迁徙。
迁徙 is typically intransitive; the animals are the subject.
他迁徙到了美国。 → 他移民到了美国。
For moving to another country legally, '移民' is the correct term.
这只笔被迁徙了。 → 这只笔被移动了。
Objects are 'moved' (移动), not 'migrated'.

Tips

The Third Tone

Make sure you emphasize the dip in 'xǐ'. If you say it flat, it might be misunderstood.

Don't confuse 徙 and 徒

徙 (xǐ) has 彳 (step). 徒 (tú) has 彳 too, but the right side is different. Remember '徙' for migration.

Pair with 路线

Learning '迁徙路线' (migration route) as a single block will help you use it more naturally.

Population Studies

Use '人口迁徙' in essays about sociology or geography to score higher marks for vocabulary.

Documentary Chinese

Watch nature documentaries in Chinese; you will hear '迁徙' every few minutes.

Opposite Concept

Remember '定居' (settle down) as the opposite of '迁徙' to help anchor the meaning.

Poetic Use

You can use '迁徙' to describe the movement of ideas or cultures across history.

Verb-Noun Flexibility

Practice using it as both a verb (they migrate) and a noun (the migration) to increase fluency.

Map it Out

When you see a map with migration arrows, say '这是迁徙' to yourself to build the mental link.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a bird (迁) taking many steps (徙) across the sky. The 'qiān' sounds like 'chain'—a chain of animals moving together. 'Xǐ' sounds like 'she'—she is migrating south.

Visual Association

Visualize a flock of geese in a V-formation (迁) flying over a person walking with a stick (徙, the step radical).

Word Web

Birds Africa Winter History Route Survival Movement Nature

Challenge

Try to use '迁徙' in a sentence about a documentary you watched. If you haven't watched one, imagine the wildebeest migration and describe it.

Word Origin

The word '迁徙' appears in ancient Chinese texts dating back over 2,000 years, including the 'Records of the Grand Historian' (史记). '迁' (qiān) originally meant to ascend or move to a higher place, often related to changing a capital city. '徙' (xǐ) is composed of '彳' (step) and '止' (foot/stop), literally meaning to walk or change where one stops.

Original meaning: To change one's place of residence or to move a capital city.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

When discussing '人口迁徙' (population migration), be aware of the sensitive nature of the 'hukou' system and migrant worker rights in China.

In English-speaking countries, 'migration' often has political overtones regarding borders. In Chinese, '迁徙' is more neutral and often leans towards biology or history.

The documentary 'Winged Migration' (鸟与梦飞行) is often discussed using this word in China. The 'Hakka' (客家) people are the 'Migrant' people of China, defined by their history of 迁徙. The 'Long March' is sometimes described as a strategic 迁徙 of the Red Army.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Wildlife Documentary

壮丽的迁徙
为了寻找食物
跨越千山万水
生命的奇迹

History Class

民族迁徙
由于战乱
定居在中原
文化的融合

News on Climate Change

迁徙模式改变
生态危机
物种灭绝
全球变暖的影响

Spring Festival (Chunyun)

人类大迁徙
返乡潮
交通压力
回家过年

Sociology Research

农村人口迁徙
城市化进程
劳动力流动
户籍制度

Conversation Starters

"你知道为什么候鸟每年都要迁徙吗？"

"你觉得气候变化对动物迁徙有什么影响？"

"中国历史上有哪些著名的人口迁徙？"

"你如何看待现代社会的‘数字迁徙’现象？"

"如果你是一只迁徙的鸟，你想飞到哪里？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你观察到的动物迁徙景象，并表达你的感受。

想象你是古代迁徙部落的一员，写下你的旅途日记。

讨论人口迁徙对现代城市发展的利与弊。

如果人类必须迁徙到另一个星球，你会带上什么？

写一段话，用‘迁徙’来隐喻你的人生经历。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that would sound very strange. Use '搬家' (bānjiā) for personal moves. '迁徙' is reserved for animals or large-scale historical movements of people.

No, it is used for any animal that migrates (elephants, butterflies, fish) and also for human groups (tribes, refugees, labor forces).

移民 (yímín) is about the legal and social act of moving to another country. 迁徙 (qiānxǐ) is about the physical journey and the biological or historical phenomenon of moving.

It can be both. As a verb: '鸟类迁徙' (Birds migrate). As a noun: '漫长的迁徙' (A long migration).

It has the 'step' radical (彳) on the left and '止' (stop) over 'x' (a variant of foot) on the right. It represents walking and stopping.

Technically, it's a temporary trip, but because of its massive scale (hundreds of millions of people), it is often poetically called '人类大迁徙'.

Because it's a formal, specialized word that requires understanding of context (biology/history) beyond basic daily needs.

Yes, but the specific term '洄游' (huíyóu) is often preferred in scientific contexts for fish.

Common ones include 大规模的 (large-scale), 季节性的 (seasonal), 艰辛的 (arduous), and 漫长的 (long).

Yes, it almost always implies a significant geographical distance and a change of environment.