宣言

• Pinyin: xuān yán
• Hanzi breakdown: 宣 = 宀(roof) + 亘 (span/extend); 言 = 口 (mouth) + two lines (speech flowing from the mouth)

Meaning

Declaration; manifesto. A formal public statement expressing principles, goals, or intentions, especially of a political or ideological nature.

Well known in Chinese historical context through 共产党宣言 (The Communist Manifesto). Used for founding documents, political proclamations, and formal statements of intent. Carries more ideological weight than 声明 or 公告.

Examples

1. 这份宣言标志着一个新的民族国家在历史舞台上的正式登场，引起国际社会的高度关注。 This declaration marked the official emergence of a new nation-state on the stage of history, drawing intense attention from the international community.
2. 环保组织在世界地球日联合发布了一份宣言，呼吁各国政府采取更有力的措施应对气候变化。 On Earth Day, environmental organizations jointly issued a declaration calling on governments to take stronger measures to address climate change.
3. 二十余个非政府组织联合签署了这份关于难民权利保护的宣言，并向联合国提交备案。 More than twenty NGOs jointly signed this declaration on protecting refugee rights and submitted it to the United Nations for the record.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, ideology, international affairs

Tone: authoritative

Do Say

• 该党在大选前夕发布政治宣言，明确阐述其执政理念与施政优先事项，力图争取更广泛的选民支持。(The party issued a political manifesto on the eve of the general election, clearly articulating its governing philosophy and policy priorities in an effort to win broader voter support.)
• 这份独立宣言详细列明建国原则与公民权利，被后世学者誉为该国政治文明史上的奠基文献。(This declaration of independence set out the founding principles and civil rights in detail and has been hailed by later scholars as a foundational document in the nation's political history.)

Don't Say

• 他写了一份关于周末计划的宣言 — 宣言 carries strong ideological and formal weight; for personal plans use 计划 or 打算; using 宣言 for trivial personal matters sounds pompous and incorrect

Origin & History

宣 (to proclaim) + 言 (words/statement)

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal