旨在……
Reach for 旨在 when you want to state the explicit purpose of an action, policy, plan, or strategy — 'aimed at X' or 'intended to X.' It's formal, written Chinese — almost never used in speech. You'll see it in news, government statements, mission descriptions, and analytical writing. The subject is typically an initiative, document, or organized effort, and what follows 旨在 is the goal it pursues, usually a verb phrase.
Structure
[INITIATIVE / PLAN / ACTION] + 旨在 + [PURPOSE (verb phrase)]
zhǐzài...
How to Think About It
旨在 is built from 旨 ('purpose, intent') + 在 ('lies at / focused on'). It literally says 'the purpose lies in.' That's why it always points to a verb phrase, not a noun — the purpose is something to be done. It also carries a written, institutional tone: you reach for 旨在 to make a goal sound official. In speech, native speakers say 是为了 instead. If you wouldn't write your sentence in a news article, use 是为了, not 旨在.
Examples
这项政策旨在保护环境。
Zhè xiàng zhèngcè zhǐzài bǎohù huánjìng.
This policy is aimed at protecting the environment.
新计划旨在帮助年轻人创业。
Xīn jìhuà zhǐzài bāngzhù niánqīng rén chuàngyè.
The new plan is intended to help young people start businesses.
这次会议旨在加强两国合作。
Zhè cì huìyì zhǐzài jiāqiáng liǎng guó hézuò.
This meeting is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Common Mistake
Learners follow 旨在 with a noun, copying English 'aimed at growth.' But Chinese 旨在 requires a verb phrase: 旨在促进增长, not 旨在增长. The other mistake: using it in conversation, where it sounds robotic. Stick to 是为了 in spoken Chinese.
这个项目旨在成功。
这个项目旨在帮助贫困地区的孩子。
Don't Confuse With
是为了...
Conversational equivalent. 这个项目是为了帮助孩子 works in any register; 旨在 sounds bookish. Use 是为了 in speech and 旨在 in writing or formal speech.
目的是...
目的是 = 'the goal is.' It's neutral and works in both speech and writing. 旨在 sounds more compressed and official; 目的是 sounds explanatory.
为...而...
为...而... emphasizes purpose with a touch of drama: 为正义而战 (fight for justice). 旨在 is descriptive and institutional, not emotional.
Practice
这项研究 ___ 找到新的治疗方法。
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旨在
新政策旨在 ___ 经济增长。 (fill with a verb meaning 'promote')
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促进
Put in order: [旨在 / 提高 / 这个 / 项目 / 教育质量]
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这个项目旨在提高教育质量。
Translate to Chinese: 'The new law is aimed at reducing air pollution.'
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新法律旨在减少空气污染。
Write a formal sentence describing the purpose of a plan or policy, using 旨在.
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Example answer: 公司新推出的培训项目旨在帮助员工提高技能。 (The company's newly launched training program is aimed at helping employees improve their skills.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode. Press play to hear the sentence:
这不仅仅是一次军事打击，更是一场旨在彻底重塑中东秩序的战略风暴。
This was not merely a military strike — it was a strategic storm aimed at fundamentally reshaping the Middle Eastern order.
Khamenei Killed in US–Israel Strike on IranAdvanced
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 旨在…… in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
Fluentide picks the next news episode at your level, so this pattern shows up again and again in real context. The transcript marks it, the audio drills it. Free to start.