宗旨

• Pinyin: zōng zhǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 宗 = 宀 + 示 (foundational/ancestral); 旨 = 匕 + 日 (intention/edict)

Meaning

Purpose; guiding principle; mission. The fundamental aim or objective that an organisation, document, or initiative is built around.

Frequently found in mission statements, organisational charters, and policy preambles. 宗旨 carries a sense of overarching legitimacy and intentionality rather than mere operational goals.

Examples

1. 该基金会的宗旨是资助贫困地区儿童接受优质教育。 The foundation's mission is to fund high-quality education for children in impoverished areas.
2. 会议主持人再次重申了此次研讨会的核心宗旨。 The chair reiterated the core purpose of the seminar.
3. 服务人民、造福社会是这家公益机构成立之初的宗旨。 Serving the people and benefiting society was the founding mission of this nonprofit organization.

Usage Guide

Context: organisations, policy, charters, speech

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 本党的宗旨是全心全意为人民服务。(The party's mission is to serve the people wholeheartedly.)
• 这部法律的立法宗旨在于保护消费者的合法权益。(The legislative purpose of this law is to protect consumers' legitimate rights.)

Don't Say

• 我今天的宗旨是吃好玩好 — 宗旨implies formal organisational purpose; use 目标 or 打算 for everyday personal intentions

Origin & History

宗 (ancestral — fundamental) + 旨 (intention/decree)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal