Meaning and Usage
The word 宗旨 (zōngzhǐ) refers to the fundamental purpose, aim, or guiding principle of an organization, group, or activity. It is often used in formal contexts such as company missions, organizational goals, or ideological principles.
Common Collocations
- 公司的宗旨 (company's objective): used to describe a business's core mission.
- 组织的宗旨 (organization's purpose): highlights the main goal of a group.
- 牢记宗旨 (keep the objective in mind): emphasizes the importance of remembering the guiding principle.
Usage Notes
When using 宗旨, speakers imply a clear, often official or formal, guiding principle rather than a casual or personal goal. It is more abstract than just a simple aim and usually relates to collective or institutional purposes. Avoid confusing 宗旨 with 目的 (mùdì), which can mean 'purpose' or 'goal' but is more general and less formal.
Register and Tone
宗旨 is formal and commonly found in written language, official documents, speeches, and professional settings. It is less common in casual conversation unless discussing formal topics.