Definition
主义 (zhǔyì) is a noun meaning 'doctrine, ideology' and is often used as a suffix equivalent to '-ism' (e.g., 资本主义 'capitalism'). It refers to a formal system of beliefs or principles, broader than 思想 (sīxiǎng 'thought, thinking') which is more about personal or general ideas, and more abstract than 原则 (yuánzé 'principle'), which is a specific rule or guideline.
noun
ideologydoctrine‑ism (as a suffix forming names of doctrines)
Easily confused
- 注意zhù yìsound-aliketo pay attention to, to take note of
- 主意zhǔ yisound-alikeidea; plan; decision
- 逐一zhú yīsound-alikeone by one
Examples
- 主义。Zhège zhǔ yì yǐngxiǎng le zhěnggè shèhuì.This ideology influenced the whole society.
- 主义。Bùtóng de rén yǒu bùtóng de zhǔ yì.Different people have different ideologies.
- 主义，。Tā fǎnduì zhège zhǔ yì, tíchū le xīn de guāndiǎn.He opposed this ideology and proposed new viewpoints.
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