Usage note
主动表示自己愿意做事情，不需要别人催促。
Zhǔdòng biǎoshì zìjǐ yuànyì zuò shìqíng, bù xūyào biérén cuīcù.
Initiative means being willing to do things on your own without being urged.
Context note
主动常用于学习、帮助别人或参加活动。
Zhǔdòng chángyòng yú xuéxí, bāngzhù biérén huò cānjiā huódòng.
Initiative is often used for studying, helping others, or joining activities.
5 examples
他主动帮老师擦黑板。
tā zhǔ dòng bāng lǎo shī cā hēi bǎn。
He took the initiative to help the teacher clean the blackboard.
她主动举手回答问题。
tā zhǔ dòng jǔ shǒu huí dá wèn tí。
She proactively raised her hand to answer the question.
我们主动打扫了教室。
wǒ men zhǔ dòng dǎ sǎo le jiào shì。
We took the initiative to clean the classroom.
小明主动分享零食给朋友。
xiǎo míng zhǔ dòng fēn xiǎng líng shí gěi péng yǒu。
Xiao Ming proactively shared snacks with friends.
她主动报名参加比赛。
tā zhǔ dòng bào míng cān jiā bǐ sài。
She took the initiative to sign up for the competition.
5 mini stories
小红主动帮助新同学找教室。新同学很开心。
xiǎo hóng zhǔ dòng bāng zhù xīn tóng xué zhǎo jiào shì。 xīn tóng xué hěn kāi xīn。
Xiao Hong took the initiative to help the new student find the classroom. The new student was very happy.
小明主动收拾玩具。妈妈表扬了他。
xiǎo míng zhǔ dòng shōu shí wán jù。 mā ma biǎo yáng le tā。
Xiao Ming took the initiative to put away the toys. Mom praised him.
她主动给奶奶倒水。奶奶笑了。
tā zhǔ dòng gěi nǎi nai dǎo shuǐ。 nǎi nai xiào le。
She proactively poured water for Grandma. Grandma smiled.
我们主动在图书馆安静看书。管理员很高兴。
wǒ men zhǔ dòng zài tú shū guǎn ān jìng kàn shū。 guǎn lǐ yuán hěn gāo xìng。
We took the initiative to read quietly in the library. The librarian was very happy.
哥哥主动教弟弟做作业。弟弟学会了。
gē ge zhǔ dòng jiào dì di zuò zuò yè。 dì di xué huì le。
My brother took the initiative to teach my younger brother homework. The younger brother learned.
Mini dialogue
主动帮助同学
A
他主动帮我拿书，真热心。
Tā zhǔdòng bāng wǒ ná shū, zhēn rèxīn.
He proactively helped me carry the books, so kind.
B
是啊，我们应该主动帮助别人。
Shì a, wǒmen yīnggāi zhǔdòng bāngzhù biérén.
Yes, we should take the initiative to help others.
主动回答问题
A
老师提问时，你可以主动举手。
Lǎoshī tíwèn shí, nǐ kěyǐ zhǔdòng jǔ shǒu.
When the teacher asks a question, you can proactively raise your hand.
B
好的，我要主动一点。
Hǎo de, wǒ yào zhǔdòng yīdiǎn.
Okay, I will be more proactive.
Related words and contrasts
similar
积极
jī jí
active, positive
shares the idea of taking initiative
opposite
被动
bèi dòng
passive
direct opposite of proactive
contrast
自动
zì dòng
automatic
automatic vs. taking initiative yourself
related
主动出击
zhǔ dòng chū jī
take the initiative to attack
idiom meaning to seize the initiative