旗帜

• Pinyin: qí zhì
• Hanzi breakdown: 旗 = 方 + 其 + 斤 (banner); 帜 = 巾 (cloth) + 只 (phonetic)

Meaning

Flag; banner; standard. Figuratively, a symbol, emblem, or guiding ideological principle.

Both literal (national flags, protest banners) and figurative (ideological or moral standards). Common in political, military, and inspirational contexts. Key collocation: 旗帜鲜明 (to take a clear, unambiguous stance).

Examples

1. 运动会开幕式上，各国运动员手持本国旗帜昂首阔步入场。 At the opening ceremony of the sports meet, athletes from various countries marched in proudly holding their national flags.
2. 他是这一学术流派的旗帜性人物，在学界享有极高声望。 He is a banner figure of this academic school, enjoying an exceptionally high reputation in the field.
3. 改革开放成为引领中国走向现代化的重要旗帜。 Reform and opening up became an important banner guiding China toward modernization.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, military, ideology

Tone: solemn

Do Say

• 他高举科技创新的旗帜，带领团队不断攀登技术高峰。(He raised the banner of scientific and technological innovation, leading the team to continually scale new technical heights.)
• 鲜艳的五星红旗是中华人民共和国庄严的国家旗帜。(The bright Five-Star Red Flag is the solemn national flag of the People's Republic of China.)

Don't Say

• 我的旗帜是喜欢音乐 — 旗帜 requires ideological, organisational, or symbolic gravity; use 爱好/兴趣 for personal hobbies

Origin & History

旗 (flag/banner) + 帜 (flag/standard) — both characters refer to banners or standards

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal