上进 shàngjìn to make progress
to make progress; to do better; figuratively ambitious to improve oneself; to move forwards
How to remember 上进: 上 above + 进 enter = to make progress.
Characters
How it is used
- To strive to better oneself, be self-improving - 这孩子很上进 (zhè háizi hěn shàngjìn) this kid is really driven to improve.
- 上进心 (shàngjìnxīn), the 'desire to get ahead', is the most common form; praised as a character trait.
- About personal ambition and diligence, not physical forward movement.