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B1 noun #7,000 most common 10 min read

宗旨

zongzhi Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 宗旨 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 宗旨 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '宗旨' (zōngzhǐ) yourself, as it is quite formal. However, it is helpful to recognize it as a word that means 'a very important goal.' Imagine a big school or a famous company. They have one big reason why they exist. That big reason is their '宗旨.' For example, if a hospital's big goal is 'to help sick people,' that is its '宗旨.' At this level, just remember that if you see this word in a title or on a sign, it is talking about the most important thing a group wants to do. You can think of it as 'The Big Why.' It is much more serious than saying 'I want to eat an apple.' It is for big things like 'helping the world.'

For A2 learners, '宗旨' (zōngzhǐ) is a word you might see in short introductions to companies or clubs. It means 'purpose' or 'aim.' You can start to see how it is different from the word '目的' (mùdì), which you likely already know. While '目的' is for simple things like 'the purpose of this phone is to call people,' '宗旨' is for the 'purpose of a charity' or 'the purpose of a club.' You will often see the sentence '我们的宗旨是...' (Wǒmen de zōngzhǐ shì...), which means 'Our purpose is...' If you join a Chinese language club, their '宗旨' might be 'to help everyone speak better Chinese.' It is a formal way to show that a group has a serious and good intention.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '宗旨' (zōngzhǐ) in formal writing, such as an application for a school or a simple business proposal. You should understand that it refers to a 'guiding principle' or 'mission.' It’s important to use it in the correct context—usually for organizations or formal documents. You will frequently encounter the structure '以...为宗旨' (yǐ... wéi zōngzhǐ), which means 'to take ... as the guiding principle.' For example, '以服务社会为宗旨' means 'taking serving society as the mission.' This level requires you to distinguish '宗旨' from '目标' (target). A '目标' is something specific you want to reach, like 'making money,' but a '宗旨' is the spirit behind it, like 'providing the best service.'

B2 learners should have a firm grasp of '宗旨' (zōngzhǐ) and its nuances. You should be able to identify it in news reports, political speeches, and academic abstracts. At this level, you recognize that '宗旨' carries a weight of authority and stability. It is the 'fundamental purpose' that does not change easily. You should be comfortable using related terms like '根本宗旨' (fundamental purpose) or '经营宗旨' (business philosophy). You should also understand its role in defining the identity of an entity. For instance, in a debate about corporate social responsibility, you might argue that a company's '宗旨' should include environmental protection, not just profit. It is a key word for discussing values and institutional goals.

At the C1 level, '宗旨' (zōngzhǐ) is a tool for precise expression in professional and academic Chinese. You should understand its etymological roots (宗 meaning root/ancestor and 旨 meaning decree/intent) and how this history gives the word its 'sacred' or 'foundational' connotation. You can use it to critique the '宗旨' of a literary work or a philosophical system. You should also be aware of how it is used in high-level diplomatic language, such as in the '宗旨 and principles of the UN Charter.' At this level, you can use the word to discuss abstract concepts like 'the purpose of life' (人生宗旨) in a sophisticated way, and you can contrast it with '意图' (intent) to discuss the transparency of an organization's goals.

For C2 learners, '宗旨' (zōngzhǐ) is a word that you not only use perfectly but also understand within the deep context of Chinese administrative and political culture. You recognize its usage in classical-style modern prose and official state documents where it represents the 'core mandate' of the government. You can distinguish the subtle differences between '宗旨', '主旨', '要旨', and '精义' in scholarly texts. You understand that '宗旨' is not just a statement of intent but a declaration of legitimacy. In a high-level business negotiation or a political analysis, you can use this word to pivot between tactical goals (目标) and strategic, foundational values (宗旨), demonstrating a native-like command of register and rhetorical weight.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

宗旨 in 30 Seconds

宗旨 (zōngzhǐ) is a formal noun meaning 'main aim' or 'guiding principle,' primarily used for organizations, companies, and formal documents rather than personal tasks.
It differs from 目的 (mùdì) and 目标 (mùbiāo) by being more philosophical, long-term, and institutional, representing the 'soul' or 'mission' of an entity.
Commonly used in the structure '以...为宗旨' (taking ... as the purpose), it highlights the fundamental reason for an organization's existence and its core values.
You will encounter this word in business mission statements, government slogans, non-profit charters, and the introductions of academic papers or formal speeches.

The Chinese word 宗旨 (zōngzhǐ) is a sophisticated noun that translates most accurately to 'aim,' 'purpose,' 'tenet,' or 'guiding principle.' While everyday words like 目的 (mùdì - goal) or 目标 (mùbiāo - target) focus on a specific end result, 宗旨 refers to the underlying philosophy or the fundamental reason for existence that drives an organization, a project, or a significant piece of intellectual work. It is the 'soul' of an entity's mission. When you see a corporation's mission statement or a non-profit's charter, the core value they uphold is their 宗旨.

Formal Context: It is primarily used in formal settings. You would rarely use it for personal daily tasks like 'My purpose for going to the store is to buy milk.' Instead, you use it for grander intentions: 'The purpose of this charity is to help children.'
Structural Usage: It often appears in the pattern '以...为宗旨' (yǐ... wéi zōngzhǐ), meaning 'to take ... as the guiding principle.' For example, '以人为本为宗旨' (taking people as the fundamental principle).

这家公司的宗旨是为客户提供最优质的服务。(The purpose of this company is to provide customers with the highest quality service.)

Understanding 宗旨 requires looking at its characters. 宗 (zōng) originally referred to an ancestral hall or a sect, implying a root or a source. 旨 (zhǐ) refers to an imperial decree or a profound meaning. Together, they form a word that suggests a 'sacred' or 'foundational' intent. In modern business, this is your 'Mission Statement.' In academic writing, it is the 'Central Thesis' or 'Objective.' If a magazine exists to promote environmentalism, that is its 宗旨. If a school exists to foster creativity, that is its 宗旨.

我们办学的宗旨是全面发展学生的素质。(The aim of our school is to develop the students' overall quality.)

In a broader sense, 宗旨 can also apply to the main point of a speech or an article. If a politician gives a long speech about economic reform, the 宗旨 is the core message they want the audience to take away. It is deeper than a 'topic' (主题); it includes the 'intent' (意图) behind the topic. It answers the question: 'Why does this exist?' rather than 'What is this about?'

这篇文章的宗旨在于呼吁大家保护环境。(The main aim of this article is to call on everyone to protect the environment.)

Institutional Identity: Every NGO, government body, and international organization has a clearly defined 宗旨. The United Nations, for example, has a 宗旨 centered on maintaining international peace and security.

When learning 宗旨, remember that it carries a certain weight of authority. It is not used for trivialities. It is a word of commitment and long-term vision. If you are writing a business plan in Chinese, you must include a section on your 服务宗旨 (service purpose) or 经营宗旨 (business philosophy).

团结互助是这个协会成立的宗旨。(Unity and mutual assistance are the purposes for which this association was established.)

我们要始终坚持全心全意为人民服务的宗旨。(We must always adhere to the purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly.)

Mastering 宗旨 involves understanding its typical collocations and sentence structures. Because it is a formal noun, it often acts as the subject or the object of verbs related to 'defining,' 'adhering to,' or 'deviating from' a principle. It is rarely used as a verb itself.

Verb + 宗旨: Common verbs include 确定 (determine), 遵循 (follow), 违背 (violate), and 坚持 (adhere to). For example, '遵循宗旨' (to follow the purpose).

任何行动都不能违背我们的宗旨。(No action should violate our purpose.)

The most frequent grammatical pattern is [Subject] + 的宗旨是 + [Action/Goal]. This is the standard way to define why something exists. It is direct and authoritative. When you are presenting a proposal, this should be one of your opening lines to establish credibility and focus.

该基金会的宗旨是资助贫困地区的教育事业。(The purpose of the foundation is to fund education in poor areas.)

Another common structure is 以...为宗旨. This functions like a prepositional phrase, setting the stage for the rest of the sentence. It translates to 'With ... as the guiding principle.' This is very common in marketing slogans and official slogans for events like the Olympics or international conferences.

我们公司一直以诚实守信为宗旨。(Our company has always taken honesty and trustworthiness as its guiding principle.)

In complex sentences, 宗旨 can be modified by adjectives or other nouns to specify the type of purpose. You will often hear 根本宗旨 (fundamental purpose), 办学宗旨 (educational purpose), or 唯一宗旨 (sole purpose). These modifiers help narrow down exactly what the core mission is.

和平与发展是联合国宪章的根本宗旨。(Peace and development are the fundamental purposes of the UN Charter.)

Common Collocations: 1. 违背宗旨 (To go against the purpose)
2. 明确宗旨 (To clarify the purpose)
3. 宣传宗旨 (To promote the purpose)

Finally, consider the scope. 宗旨 is usually long-term. If you change your 宗旨, you are essentially changing the identity of the organization. Therefore, in discussions about strategy or reform, the word 宗旨 is used to signal significant, foundational aspects of the entity.

尽管时代在变，我们服务的宗旨永远不会改变。(Even though times are changing, our service purpose will never change.)

请简要说明你们协会的宗旨。(Please briefly explain the purpose of your association.)

You will encounter 宗旨 in environments where high-level objectives are discussed. It is a staple of professional, academic, and political communication. If you are watching CCTV News (Xinwen Lianbo), reading a business contract, or looking at a museum's introduction board, 宗旨 will appear frequently.

Corporate World: In China, companies often display their '经营宗旨' (business philosophy) in their lobbies or on the 'About Us' page of their websites. It’s meant to build trust with both employees and customers.

我们企业的宗旨是：质量第一，客户至上。(Our corporate aim is: Quality first, customer supreme.)

In the context of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and charities, 宗旨 is the most important word in their registration documents. It defines their legal and social scope. When an NGO representative speaks at a conference, they will almost always reiterate their 宗旨 to remind everyone of their core mission.

该环保组织的宗旨是提高公众的环保意识。(The purpose of this environmental organization is to raise public awareness of environmental protection.)

In Academia, when a researcher writes a grant proposal or the introduction to a book, they state their 宗旨. Here, it refers to the scholarly intent—what the research aims to prove or achieve in the long run. It helps the reader understand the 'big picture' before diving into the data.

本研究的宗旨是探讨社交媒体对青少年心理健康的影响。(The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of social media on the mental health of adolescents.)

Politically, 宗旨 is a very powerful word in China. It is often linked to the concept of 'serving the people' (为人民服务). You will see it on banners in government offices and hear it in policy speeches. In this context, it isn't just a goal; it's a moral and political mandate.

全心全意为人民服务是我们党的根本宗旨。(Serving the people wholeheartedly is the fundamental purpose of our party.)

News and Media: When a new international summit starts, the spokesperson will state the 宗旨 to clarify the meeting's intent. '本次峰会的宗旨是促进区域合作' (The purpose of this summit is to promote regional cooperation).

Even in literature or film criticism, a critic might discuss the 宗旨 of a work. This is the underlying message or the 'moral of the story.' It’s what the author wants you to feel or think after the experience is over.

这部电影的宗旨在于表现人类对自由的渴望。(The purpose of this film is to express humanity's longing for freedom.)

While 宗旨 is a versatile word, learners often make specific errors by treating it as a synonym for simpler words like 'goal' or 'reason.' Understanding these nuances is crucial for sounding natural in Chinese.

Mistake 1: Using it for Personal, Short-term Goals: You shouldn't use 宗旨 for individual, everyday intentions. For example, saying '我买菜的宗旨是省钱' (My purpose for buying groceries is to save money) sounds overly dramatic and slightly humorous. Use '目的是' or '为了' instead.

Incorrect: 我去健身房的宗旨是减肥。
Correct: 我去健身房的目的是减肥。(My goal in going to the gym is to lose weight.)

The word 宗旨 implies a collective or institutional intent. It’s about a group’s philosophy. While you can have a 'life purpose' (人生宗旨), even that is quite formal. Most personal goals should use 目标 (target) or 目的 (purpose/goal).

Mistake 2: Confusing 宗旨 with 主题 (Subject/Topic): 主题 is the 'what' (e.g., the topic of a meeting is 'finance'). 宗旨 is the 'why' (e.g., the purpose of the meeting is 'to improve financial literacy'). Using 宗旨 to describe a simple topic is a category error.

Incorrect: 今天会议的宗旨是讨论新产品。
Correct: 今天会议的主题是讨论新产品。(The topic of today's meeting is discussing new products.)

Another mistake is using 宗旨 as a verb. In English, we can say 'We purpose to...' In Chinese, 宗旨 is strictly a noun. You must use it with a linking verb like 是 (is) or within a fixed structure like 以...为宗旨.

Incorrect: 我们的协会宗旨保护动物。
Correct: 我们协会的宗旨是保护动物。(Our association's purpose is to protect animals.)

Mistake 3: Overuse in Informal Speech: Using 宗旨 in a casual chat with friends about where to eat dinner will make you sound like you are reading from a government document. Keep it for professional or serious discussions.

Finally, watch out for the difference between 宗旨 and 意图 (intent). 意图 often has a slightly more neutral or even negative connotation (e.g., 'What are his true intentions?'). 宗旨 is almost always positive, noble, and transparent.

To truly understand 宗旨, it helps to compare it with other words that mean 'purpose' or 'goal.' In Chinese, the choice of word depends heavily on the scale and the formality of the situation.

宗旨 vs. 目的 (mùdì): 目的 is the most general word for 'goal' or 'aim.' It can be used for anything from small personal tasks to large projects. 宗旨 is much more formal and refers to the 'guiding principle' or 'mission' of an organization.

我学习汉语的目的是找工作。(My goal in learning Chinese is to find a job.) - 目的 is correct here.

宗旨 vs. 目标 (mùbiāo): 目标 is 'target' or 'objective.' It is often quantifiable and specific (e.g., 'Our target is to sell 10,000 units'). 宗旨 is qualitative and philosophical (e.g., 'Our purpose is to improve lives').

我们今年的销售目标是一百万。(Our sales target for this year is one million.) - 目标 is used for specific numbers.

Another word often confused with 宗旨 is 使命 (shǐmìng), which means 'mission.' While very similar, 使命 often implies a sense of duty or a task one is 'sent' to do (like a calling). 宗旨 is the principle that guides that mission. In many corporate contexts, they are used almost interchangeably, but 宗旨 sounds slightly more 'foundational.'

宗旨 vs. 意图 (yìtú): 意图 means 'intention' or 'intent.' It is often used to describe what someone is thinking or planning to do, sometimes with a suspicious tone. 宗旨 is always open and declared.

Finally, there is 原则 (yuánzé), meaning 'principle.' While 宗旨 is the 'purpose' for which you do something, 原则 is the 'rule' you follow while doing it. They often appear together: '以...为宗旨，坚持...原则' (Taking ... as the purpose, adhering to the ... principle).

我们坚持公平竞争的原则。(We adhere to the principle of fair competition.)

Summary Table: - **宗旨 (zōngzhǐ):** Formal, Institutional, Philosophical Purpose.
- **目的 (mùdì):** General purpose, reason for an action.
- **目标 (mùbiāo):** Specific, often measurable target.
- **使命 (shǐmìng):** Noble mission or duty.
- **意图 (yìtú):** Individual intent (sometimes hidden).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '宗' is also the word for 'religion' in modern Chinese (宗教 - zōngjiào), highlighting how '宗旨' carries a sense of sacred or unshakeable purpose.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tsʊŋ.tʂɨ/

US /tsʊŋ.tʂɨ/

Equal stress on both syllables in Mandarin.

Rhymes With

中 (zhōng) 松 (sōng) 通 (tōng) 纸 (zhǐ) 只 (zhǐ) 指 (zhǐ) 子 (zǐ - near rhyme) 冬 (dōng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zong' like the English 'zone'. It should have an 'ong' sound.
Pronouncing 'zhi' like 'zee'. It is a retroflex sound, more like 'jer' without the 'r' sound.
Misplacing the tones: zōng (1st tone, high flat) and zhǐ (3rd tone, falling-rising).
Confusing 'zong' with 'zhong' (middle).
Confusing 'zhi' with 'zi'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in formal texts, easy to recognize once learned.

Writing 4/5

Requires understanding of formal sentence patterns like '以...为宗旨'.

Speaking 4/5

Rare in casual speech; requires proper register awareness.

Listening 3/5

Frequently heard in news and formal introductions.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

目的目标重要公司原则

Learn Next

使命愿景核心价值观遵循

Advanced

主旨要旨精髓理念范畴

Grammar to Know

以...为... (Taking ... as ...)

他以诚信为本。

在于... (Lies in ...)

生命的意义在于奋斗。

Noun + 的 + Noun (Possessive)

公司的宗旨。

始终 + Verb (Always/From beginning to end)

我们要始终坚持这个宗旨。

违背 vs 遵循 (Antonyms in usage)

不能违背宗旨，必须遵循宗旨。

Examples by Level

这个学校的宗旨是学习。

The purpose of this school is learning.

A1 students can use the simple 'A 的宗旨是 B' structure.

我们的宗旨是好服务。

Our purpose is good service.

'好服务' is a simple object for A1 learners.

医院的宗旨是救人。

The hospital's purpose is to save people.

Focus on the noun '宗旨' as the subject.

这个俱乐部的宗旨是什么？

What is the purpose of this club?

Using '什么' to ask about the purpose.

他的宗旨是快乐。

His purpose is happiness.

Though formal, it can describe a life philosophy simply.

这个商店的宗旨是便宜。

The purpose of this store is to be cheap.

Simple adjective used as a goal.

宗旨很重要。

Purpose is very important.

Basic Subject + Adjective structure.

我不明白那个宗旨。

I don't understand that purpose.

Using a negative verb with '宗旨'.

我们公司的宗旨是质量第一。

Our company's purpose is quality first.

'质量第一' is a common four-character phrase used with '宗旨'.

这个组织的宗旨是保护环境。

The purpose of this organization is to protect the environment.

Using a verb phrase '保护环境' as the definition of the purpose.

办学的宗旨是教育孩子。

The purpose of running the school is to educate children.

'办学' (running a school) is a common noun phrase here.

你应该写下你的宗旨。

You should write down your purpose.

Using the modal verb '应该'.

这家饭店以卫生为宗旨。

This restaurant takes hygiene as its purpose.

Introducing the '以...为宗旨' structure at a basic level.

他们的宗旨一直没有变。

Their purpose has never changed.

Using '一直' and '没有' to show continuity.

请问你们协会的宗旨是什么？

May I ask what the purpose of your association is?

A polite way to inquire about formal goals.

宗旨对一个团队很重要。

Purpose is very important to a team.

Using '对...很重要' (important to...).

该基金会以资助贫困学生为宗旨。

The foundation takes funding poor students as its purpose.

More complex '以...为宗旨' with a specific verb phrase.

我们必须坚持全心全意为人民服务的宗旨。

We must adhere to the purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly.

Using '坚持' (adhere to) with the full formal phrase.

这篇文章的宗旨在于呼吁大家节约用水。

The purpose of this article lies in calling on everyone to save water.

Using '在于' (lies in) to define the purpose.

如果违背了宗旨，这个项目就没有意义了。

If the purpose is violated, this project has no meaning.

Using a conditional '如果...就...' structure.

在申请书中，你需要明确你的经营宗旨。

In the application, you need to clarify your business purpose.

'明确' used as a verb meaning 'to clarify'.

这个协会的宗旨是促进中外文化交流。

The purpose of this association is to promote cultural exchange between China and abroad.

'促进' (to promote) is a common B1-level formal verb.

宗旨是企业的核心价值观的表现。

Purpose is the expression of a company's core values.

Linking '宗旨' to '核心价值观' (core values).

无论发生什么，我们都不会忘记宗旨。

No matter what happens, we will not forget the purpose.

Using '无论...都...' (no matter what).

该杂志的宗旨是为读者提供客观的新闻报道。

The purpose of the magazine is to provide readers with objective news reporting.

Using '为...提供' (to provide ... for ...).

我们要始终遵循和平共处的宗旨。

We must always follow the purpose of peaceful coexistence.

'遵循' (to follow/abide by) is more formal than '听' or '看'.

这一政策的根本宗旨是提高国民的生活水平。

The fundamental purpose of this policy is to improve the living standards of the citizens.

'根本宗旨' (fundamental purpose) is a common B2 collocation.

他演讲的宗旨是鼓励年轻人勇于创新。

The main aim of his speech is to encourage young people to be brave in innovating.

'勇于' (be brave enough to) + '创新' (innovate).

任何违背协会宗旨的行为都将受到惩罚。

Any behavior that violates the association's purpose will be punished.

'受到惩罚' (to receive punishment) in a formal context.

公司在扩张过程中，必须保持原有的服务宗旨。

While expanding, the company must maintain its original service purpose.

'保持' (maintain) and '原有' (original).

这些规定与我们的办学宗旨完全契合。

These regulations are completely consistent with our school's purpose.

'契合' (to fit/agree with) is a formal B2 verb.

请你谈谈这个项目的研究宗旨。

Please talk about the research purpose of this project.

'研究宗旨' (research purpose) is common in academic settings.

联合国宪章明确规定了维护国际和平与安全的宗旨。

The UN Charter clearly stipulates the purpose of maintaining international peace and security.

'明确规定' (clearly stipulate) is high-level legal/formal language.

这部法律的宗旨在于保护弱势群体的合法权益。

The purpose of this law lies in protecting the legal rights and interests of vulnerable groups.

'弱势群体' (vulnerable groups) and '合法权益' (legal rights).

该论文的宗旨是剖析现代社会中的异化现象。

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the phenomenon of alienation in modern society.

'剖析' (to analyze deeply) and '异化' (alienation).

企业的社会责任应当与其经营宗旨相统一。

Corporate social responsibility should be unified with its business philosophy.

'相统一' (to be unified with each other).

他的人生态度与其追求的艺术宗旨是一致的。

His attitude towards life is consistent with the artistic principles he pursues.

'追求' (to pursue) used as a modifier for '宗旨'.

我们必须审视这项计划是否背离了最初的宗旨。

We must examine whether this plan has deviated from its original purpose.

'背离' (to deviate from) is a formal alternative to '违背'.

宗旨的崇高并不代表手段的正当。

The nobility of the purpose does not mean the means are justified.

A philosophical sentence structure using '并不代表'.

该机构的成立宗旨是致力于消除贫困和饥饿。

The purpose of the establishment of this organization is to be committed to eliminating poverty and hunger.

'致力于' (be committed to) + '消除' (eliminate).

纵观历史，任何长治久安的朝代都离不开以民为本的治国宗旨。

Throughout history, any dynasty with long-term peace and stability could not do without the governing principle of putting the people first.

'长治久安' and '以民为本' are sophisticated idiomatic expressions.

作者在书中阐发的宗旨，具有深远的社会批判意义。

The purpose elucidated by the author in the book has profound social critical significance.

'阐发' (to elucidate/expound) is a high-level academic verb.

该学术流派的宗旨是回归经典，重塑人文精神。

The aim of this academic school is to return to the classics and reshape the humanistic spirit.

'流派' (school of thought) and '重塑' (reshape).

我们应当在多元价值中寻求共识，秉持包容互鉴的宗旨。

We should seek consensus among diverse values and uphold the purpose of inclusiveness and mutual learning.

'秉持' (to uphold) and '互鉴' (mutual learning).

这篇文章的宗旨隐晦，需要读者细心揣摩。

The purpose of this article is obscure and requires the reader to ponder it carefully.

'隐晦' (obscure) and '揣摩' (to try to figure out/ponder).

外交辞令往往掩盖了其真实的战略宗旨。

Diplomatic rhetoric often masks its true strategic purpose.

'外交辞令' (diplomatic rhetoric) and '掩盖' (to mask/cover up).

该项目的宗旨是探索人类意识的终极奥秘。

The purpose of this project is to explore the ultimate mysteries of human consciousness.

'终极奥秘' (ultimate mystery) is a C2-level phrase.

宗旨的虚化往往是一个组织走向衰落的开始。

The blurring or hollowing out of a purpose is often the beginning of an organization's decline.

'虚化' (to become hollow/blurred) and '衰落' (decline).

Synonyms

目的目标意图使命初衷

Antonyms

手段

Common Collocations

根本宗旨

办学宗旨

经营宗旨

违背宗旨

确定宗旨

遵循宗旨

宣传宗旨

明确宗旨

唯一宗旨

服务宗旨

Common Phrases

以...为宗旨

— To take ... as the guiding principle. This is the most common grammatical pattern.

我们以顾客满意为宗旨。

背离宗旨

— To deviate from the purpose. Used when an organization loses its way.

这种做法背离了慈善宗旨。

核心宗旨

— The core purpose. The most essential part of a mission.

创新的核心宗旨是解决问题。

成立宗旨

— The purpose of establishment. Why a group was founded.

请简述该组织的成立宗旨。

宗旨意识

— Awareness of the purpose. Often used in political training.

党员要增强宗旨意识。

宗旨和原则

— Purposes and principles. A standard phrase in international law.

我们要维护《联合国宪章》的宗旨和原则。

既定宗旨

— Established purpose. A goal that was set previously.

我们必须按照既定宗旨办事。

主要宗旨

— Main purpose. The primary among several goals.

该项目的主要宗旨是减少污染。

单一宗旨

— Single purpose. An organization with only one focus.

这是一个单一宗旨的非营利机构。

共同宗旨

— Common purpose. A goal shared by different parties.

维护和平是我们的共同宗旨。

Often Confused With

宗旨 vs 目的

目的 is general; 宗旨 is institutional and philosophical.

宗旨 vs 目标

目标 is a specific target; 宗旨 is a guiding principle.

宗旨 vs 主题

主题 is the topic; 宗旨 is the intent behind the topic.

Idioms & Expressions

"万变不离其宗"

— Change as it may, the central theme/purpose remains the same. Uses the '宗' from 宗旨.

虽然形式多变，但万变不离其宗。

Common Idiom

"以人为本"

— Taking people as the foundation. Frequently used as a 宗旨.

我们的经营宗旨是以人为本。

Formal/Slogan

"全心全意"

— Wholeheartedly. Almost always paired with '为人民服务' as a 宗旨.

全心全意为人民服务是我们的宗旨。

Political

"质量第一"

— Quality first. A standard business 宗旨.

质量第一是本厂的宗旨。

Business

"客户至上"

— Customer supreme. A standard service 宗旨.

我们的服务宗旨是客户至上。

Business

"求同存异"

— Seeking common ground while reserving differences. Often a diplomatic 宗旨.

会议的宗旨是求同存异。

Diplomatic

"实事求是"

— Seeking truth from facts. Often an academic or political 宗旨.

我们的研究宗旨是实事求是。

Formal

"团结互助"

— Unity and mutual help. A common social club 宗旨.

协会以团结互助为宗旨。

Social

"精益求精"

— Constantly improving. A common artisan or technical 宗旨.

他的创作宗旨是精益求精。

Professional

"和而不同"

— Harmony without uniformity. A philosophical 宗旨.

文化交流的宗旨应该是和而不同。

Literary

Easily Confused

宗旨 vs 主旨

They sound similar and both mean 'main point'.

主旨 (zhǔzhǐ) is specifically for the gist of a text or speech, while 宗旨 is for the mission of an organization.

这篇文章的主旨是友谊。

宗旨 vs 使命

Both relate to a mission.

使命 (shǐmìng) emphasizes duty and the act of being sent, while 宗旨 emphasizes the underlying principle.

他的使命是拯救生命。

宗旨 vs 意图

Both mean intent.

意图 is more about individual psychology and can be negative; 宗旨 is institutional and positive.

他有不良意图。

宗旨 vs 初衷

Both relate to the 'why'.

初衷 is the original heart/intent when starting; 宗旨 is the ongoing guiding rule.

我不改初衷。

宗旨 vs 原则

Both are guiding rules.

原则 (yuánzé) is a specific rule of conduct; 宗旨 is the ultimate goal.

这是我的做事原则。

Sentence Patterns

A 的宗旨是 B。

我们的宗旨是快乐。

以 A 为宗旨。

以服务为宗旨。

坚持...的宗旨。

坚持为民服务的宗旨。

宗旨在于...。

宗旨在于提高效率。

违背/遵循...的宗旨。

不能违背成立的宗旨。

宗旨与...相统一。

宗旨与行动相统一。

背离了最初的宗旨。

这项政策背离了最初的宗旨。

宗旨的阐发/虚化。

宗旨的阐发非常深刻。

Word Family

Nouns

宗旨 (Purpose)

宗派 (Sect)

祖宗 (Ancestor)

主旨 (Main idea)

Verbs

宗 (To follow/model after - rare in modern usage)

目的 (mùdì)

目标 (mùbiāo)

意图 (yìtú)

使命 (shǐmìng)

初衷 (chūzhōng)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in formal writing and news; rare in daily conversation.

Common Mistakes

我买书的宗旨是学习。 → 我买书的是为了学习。
Buying a book is a personal, specific action. 宗旨 is too formal for this.
这个协会宗旨帮助人。 → 这个协会的宗旨是帮助人。
宗旨 is a noun and needs the possessive '的' and the linking verb '是'.
今天的主题宗旨是讨论天气。 → 今天的主题是讨论天气。
Don't combine 主题 and 宗旨. They are different categories (topic vs. purpose).
他意图了一个好的宗旨。 → 他确定了一个好的宗旨。
意图 is a noun/verb for 'intent'; it doesn't work as an action performed on a 宗旨.
我们宗旨以人为本。 → 我们的宗旨是以人为本。
Missing the possessive '的' makes the sentence grammatically incomplete.

Tips

Use in Business Plans

When writing a business plan in Chinese, always include a section titled '经营宗旨' to show you have a clear philosophy.

The 'Is' Rule

Remember that 宗旨 is a noun and usually needs the verb '是' (is) to connect to its definition.

Keep it Formal

Reserve 宗旨 for organizations, movements, or formal writings to avoid sounding melodramatic.

Think of the Root

Remember '宗' means root or ancestor. Your 宗旨 is the root of your organization's actions.

Pair with 使命

In corporate settings, 宗旨 (purpose) and 使命 (mission) are often used together to describe a company's identity.

News Marker

When you hear '宗旨' on the news, pay attention—it's about to tell you the most important part of the story.

Pattern Practice

Practice the '以...为宗旨' pattern. It is the most sophisticated way to use the word.

Political Context

Understand that in China, 宗旨 is often a very serious word related to government service.

Common Verbs

Memorize '坚持' (adhere to) and '违背' (violate) as the two most common verbs used with 宗旨.

Avoid Personal Use

Don't use 宗旨 for small personal errands; it sounds like you are a robot or a politician.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'ZONE' (zong) where the 'GEE' (zhi) or 'Key' is kept. The 宗旨 is the 'Key' to the whole 'Zone' or organization.

Visual Association

Imagine a compass (the 宗旨) guiding a large ship (the organization) through a foggy sea.

Word Web

Mission Philosophy Foundation Root Decree Aim Spirit Guide

Challenge

Try to write a one-sentence '宗旨' for your life in Chinese using the '以...为宗旨' pattern.

Word Origin

The word is composed of two characters: '宗' and '旨'. '宗' (zōng) originally depicted an ancestral temple (宀 roof + 示 altar), representing the source or root of a lineage. '旨' (zhǐ) depicted a mouth tasting delicious food (now written as 匕 spoon + 日/口), later evolving to mean an 'imperial decree' or 'profound intent.'

Original meaning: The fundamental intent or the root principle handed down from authority.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use '宗旨' for personal, selfish, or trivial goals, as it can sound arrogant or sarcastic.

In English, we use 'Mission Statement' or 'Guiding Principle.' '宗旨' is the direct equivalent but sounds slightly more traditional and formal.

The UN Charter (联合国宪章的宗旨) The Communist Party of China's mission (全心全意为人民服务) The Olympic Charter

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business

经营宗旨
服务宗旨
以质量为宗旨
企业宗旨

Education

办学宗旨
育人宗旨
教育宗旨
学术宗旨

Politics

根本宗旨
服务人民的宗旨
党章宗旨
政治宗旨

NGOs/Charity

成立宗旨
慈善宗旨
协会宗旨
共同宗旨

Writing/Speech

文章宗旨
演说宗旨
主旨大意
写作宗旨

Conversation Starters

"请问你们公司的经营宗旨是什么？"

"你认为一个好的非营利组织应该有什么样的宗旨？"

"你觉得这篇文章的主要宗旨是什么？"

"我们协会的宗旨是保护环境，你愿意加入吗？"

"在制定计划时，我们首先要明确宗旨。"

Journal Prompts

写一写你对自己未来职业生涯的‘人生宗旨’。

如果你要成立一个俱乐部，你的办会宗旨会是什么？为什么？

分析你最喜欢的公司，看看他们的宗旨是如何体现在他们的产品中的。

讨论一下，为什么一个组织如果没有明确的宗旨就会失败。

翻译一段你喜欢的英文格言，并说明它如何成为你的生活宗旨。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is better to use 目的 or 目标 for personal goals like 'buying a car.' Using 宗旨 makes you sound like a corporation or a government body. However, you can use '人生宗旨' for a very serious life philosophy.

It is strictly a noun. You cannot say 'I 宗旨 to help.' You must say 'My 宗旨 is to help' (我的宗旨是提供帮助).

The most common phrase is '以...为宗旨' (yǐ... wéi zōngzhǐ), which means 'to take ... as the guiding principle.'

You can say '宗旨' or '使命陈述' (shǐmìng chénshù), but in common business contexts, '宗旨' or '经营宗旨' is very frequent.

Yes, you can use it to describe the main aim or the 'moral' of a book, though '主旨' is also very common for this.

It is almost always positive or neutral. It implies a noble or official intent.

宗旨 is the 'why' (philosophy), and 目标 is the 'what' (specific target). A company's 宗旨 might be 'to help people,' while their 目标 is 'to sell 1 million products.'

No, that sounds very strange. Use '我今天的计划' (my plan for today) or '我今天的目标' (my goal for today).

No, like all Chinese nouns, it remains the same. You can use '各项宗旨' (various purposes) if you need to imply plurality.

Rarely. You will hear it in news, business meetings, and formal speeches, but not usually when chatting with friends over coffee.