座右铭

• Pinyin: zuò yòu míng
• Hanzi breakdown: 座 = 广 + 坐 (shelter + sit — a seat); 右 = 又 + 口 (hand + mouth — right side); 铭 = 钅+ 名 (metal + name — to inscribe/motto)

Meaning

Motto; maxim. A guiding personal saying, principle, or aphorism that one places beside oneself as a constant reminder of values or aspirations.

Historically inscribed on objects placed to the right of one's seat as a daily reminder. Today used broadly for life mottos, company slogans, or personal credos. Often asked in interviews and essays in Chinese educational and professional culture.

Examples

1. 他将'勤能补拙'作为自己的座右铭，数十年如一日地坚持刻苦学习，终于在学术领域取得了卓越的成就。 He took 'diligence can make up for lack of talent' as his personal motto and studied hard for decades, eventually achieving outstanding success in the academic field.
2. 这家企业将'诚信经营、客户至上'定为座右铭，并将其镌刻于总部大楼的正门，时刻提醒每一位员工。 This company set 'honest management, customers first' as its motto and engraved it at the main entrance of its headquarters as a constant reminder to every employee.
3. 老先生在临终前叮嘱子女，要将'厚德载物'作为家族的座右铭，代代相传，永不忘怀。 Before passing away, the old gentleman instructed his children to take 'great virtue carries all things' as the family motto, passing it down from generation to generation and never forgetting it.

Usage Guide

Context: education, culture, business, personal development

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他的座右铭是'路漫漫其修远兮，吾将上下而求索'，这句古语激励他在艰难岁月中始终坚定地追求真理。(His motto is 'The road ahead is long and difficult, yet I shall seek far and wide' — this ancient saying has inspired him to steadfastly pursue truth through his most difficult years.)
• 公司创始人把'创新是生命力'定为企业座右铭，并将创新精神融入了每一个产品研发的环节之中。(The company's founder adopted 'Innovation is the lifeblood' as the corporate motto and wove the spirit of innovation into every stage of product development.)

Don't Say

• 我的座右铭是努力 — 座右铭 should be a full sentence or established phrase, not a single word; use 我把'天道酬勤'作为座右铭 instead

Origin & History

座 (seat) + 右 (right side) + 铭 (inscription/motto) — an inscription placed to the right of one's seat

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal