方针

• Pinyin: fāng zhēn
• Hanzi breakdown: 方 = direction; 针 = 钅(metal) + 十 (ten, phonetic for zhēn) — a metal needle pointing the direction

Meaning

Policy; guiding principle; guideline. A high-level directive or principle that guides decisions and actions.

More abstract and high-level than 方案 (plan) or 政策 (policy). Often used in political, organizational, or strategic contexts. Common collocations include 基本方针 (basic policy), 教育方针 (educational policy), and 方针政策 (policies and guidelines). Typically associated with government or institutional directives.

Examples

1. 政府制定了新的教育方针。 The government established a new education policy.
2. 公司的发展方针是以客户为中心。 The company's development policy is to be customer-centered.
3. 我们要认真学习国家的基本方针。 We must carefully study the nation's basic guiding principles.

Usage Guide

Context: political, institutional, strategic

Tone: authoritative

Do Say

• 学校调整了教学方针。(The school adjusted its teaching policy.)
• 这是我们公司的长期发展方针。(This is our company's long-term development policy.)

Don't Say

• 我的学习方针是每天背单词 (Don't use 方针 for personal habits — use 计划 or 方法; 方针 is for institutional or organizational directives)

Origin & History

A compound of 方 (direction/approach) and 针 (needle/compass needle), literally a compass needle pointing the way — metaphorically a guiding principle.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal