重点

• Pinyin: zhòng diǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 重 = pictograph of a heavy bag on a scale; 点 = 灬 (fire dots) + 占 (to divine) — a marked point

Meaning

Key point; emphasis; focus. Refers to the most important part of something, or the main thing to pay attention to.

As a noun, 重点 means 'key point,' 'focus,' or 'priority.' As an adverb/modifier, it means 'mainly' or 'with emphasis on.' Very common in both educational and professional contexts — teachers highlight 重点 for exams, and meetings discuss 重点工作 (key tasks). Also used colloquially: 重点是... (the point is...).

Examples

1. 老师说了这次考试的重点。 The teacher mentioned the key points for this exam.
2. 学习的重点是多练习。 The focus of studying is to practise more.
3. 我们重点讨论一下这个问题。 Let's focus our discussion on this issue.

Usage Guide

Context: education, work, discussion

Tone: focused

Do Say

• 这是今天的学习重点。(This is today's study focus.)
• 重点是要多说中文。(The key point is to speak more Chinese.)

Don't Say

• 这个菜的重点很好吃。(Don't use 重点 for food — 重点 is for abstract focus or emphasis, not physical qualities. Say 这个菜的味道很好.)

Origin & History

Compound of 重 (heavy, important) and 点 (point, dot), literally 'heavy point' — the point that carries the most weight.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal