Meaning and Usage
"秉持" means to firmly uphold or adhere to a principle, belief, or attitude. It is often used in formal contexts to describe maintaining values such as honesty, fairness, or innovation.
Common Collocations
- 秉持原则 (uphold principles): used when emphasizing adherence to moral or professional standards.
- 秉持精神 (uphold spirit): often refers to maintaining a particular mindset or ethos.
- 秉持态度 (maintain an attitude): used when describing consistent behavior or approach.
Usage Notes
"秉持" is typically followed by abstract nouns like principles, beliefs, or attitudes. It conveys a strong, deliberate commitment rather than casual or temporary adherence. It is more formal than similar verbs like "坚持" and is common in written and formal spoken Chinese.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "秉持" with "保持" (to keep or maintain), which is more general and can refer to physical or abstract things. "秉持" specifically implies upholding values or principles with conviction.