目標 / 目标
mùbiāo
In Mandarin, the word for goal can be expressed in several ways depending on the context. The default form is 目標 / 目标 (mùbiāo). Wiktionary also lists 目的 (mùdì).
Meaning: result one is attempting to achieve (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 目標 / 目标 | mùbiāo |
| 目的 | mùdì |
The term 目標 / 目标 (mùbiāo) refers to a specific target or objective that one aims to achieve. In the context of personal growth and life achievements, you can use the phrase 人生目标 (rén shēng mù biāo) to mean 'life goal'. If you are talking about scoring a goal in sports like soccer, use the verb 進球 / 进球 (jìnqiú).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 目標 / 目标 (mùbiāo) literally means 'eye mark' or 'target point'. The sports term 進球 / 进球 (jìnqiú) literally means 'to enter the ball'.
Which one should you use?
While 目標 / 目标 (mùbiāo) is used for a specific target or strategic objective, 目的 (mùdì) describes the underlying purpose, motive or intention behind an action. Do not use 目標 / 目标 when referring to scoring a goal in sports. Instead, use 進球 / 进球.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
mùbiāo
Did you know?
- The word 目標 was actually borrowed from the Japanese word 目標 (mokuhyō) rather than being an ancient Chinese term.
- The word 目的 can be used to describe a 'hidden agenda' or a selfish motive, giving it a slightly more suspicious connotation than the English word 'purpose'.
- Mandarin lacks a single noun for a soccer 'goal' (the physical net structure) that is identical to the word for a 'goal' (the point scored).
Examples in context
- 这是我的目的。That's my goal.This sentence shows how to state a simple goal using 目的.Tatoeba #9961355 by GlossaMatik, translation #2256892 by CK
- 他買土地的目的是要造房子。His goal in buying land is to build a house.This sentence illustrates using 目的 to explain the reason behind an action.Tatoeba #5114821 by xjjAstrus, translation #5165044 by shibeilei
- 我的目的是幫助他審視這段人生。My goal is to help him navigate this stage of life.This sentence demonstrates using 目的 to express a personal intention or goal.Tatoeba #13959030 by LeviHighway, translation #13228016 by Nuel
- 我们必须设立明确的目标来完成这项任务。We must set clear goals to accomplish this task.
- 他有很多人生目标，其中之一是环游世界。He has many life goals, and one of them is to travel around the world.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “goal” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 目標, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
