verb / noun HSK 5
Traditional 創新
chuàng xīn
to innovate · innovation · to bring forth new ideas

Meaning

创新 means to create something new or to innovate. It combines 创 (to create) and 新 (new), forming a word that emphasizes bringing fresh ideas, methods, or products into existence. It's commonly used in business, technology, education, and policy contexts to describe innovative thinking or breakthrough developments.

Usage

创新 is widely used in formal and professional settings, especially in discussions about technology, business strategy, and national development. It can function as both a verb (to innovate) and a noun (innovation). Common patterns include 创新能力 (innovative capability), 技术创新 (technological innovation), and 不断创新 (continuously innovate).

Examples

  1. 01
    这家公司以技术创新闻名于世。
    Zhè jiā gōng shù chuàng xīn wén míng shì.
    This company is world-renowned for its technological innovation.
  2. 02
    我们必须不断创新才能保持竞争力。
    men duàn chuàng xīn cái néng bǎo chí jìng zhēng .
    We must continuously innovate in order to maintain competitiveness.

Characters

Measure words

  • xiàng一项创新
  • 一个创新

Common collocations

  • 技术创新
    shù chuàng xīn
    technological innovation
  • 创新能力
    chuàng xīn néng
    innovative capability
  • 不断创新
    duàn chuàng xīn
    to continuously innovate
  • 创新精神
    chuàng xīn jīng shén
    spirit of innovation

Antonyms

Origin

创 originally meant to wound or cut, but evolved to mean 'to begin' or 'to create.' Combined with 新 (new), the modern compound 创新 emerged in the 20th century as China adopted terminology for innovation and modernization.

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