主旨 (zhǔ zhǐ) — gist; main idea; substance (of a speech, articl… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A formal noun for the 'main point / gist' of a speech, article, or discussion. Focuses on the central thesis or purpose, not just any summary.

noun

gistmain ideasubstance (of a speech, article, or discussion)

Examples

主旨？
Zhè piān lùn wén de zhǔ zhǐ shì shén me?
What is the gist of this paper?
主旨，。
Tā de yǎn jiǎng zhǔ zhǐ hěn míng què, jiù shì hū yù dà jiā bǎo hù huán jìng.
The main idea of his speech was very clear: it was a call to protect the environment.
主旨。
Huì yì tǎo lùn de zhǔ zhǐ shì rú hé tí gāo gōng zuò xiào lǜ.
The substance of the meeting discussion was how to improve work efficiency.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

旨zhǐpurport

主 gives main, and 旨 gives purport, so together they name the main idea.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The old forms that became 主 showed a lamp or torch with a flame at the top; other forms showed wood on fire or a spirit tablet.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

甘甘gāndelicious

Sound part声符shēngfú

匕

匕bǐ旨zhǐ

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

旨 combines 甘, meaning delicious, with 匕, a spoon used to taste food; 匕 also gives the sound.

Appears in

Abstract Concepts

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