理念 (lǐ niàn) — guiding concept, philosophy, principle | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

理念 refers to a guiding philosophy or core principle, especially of an organization or system — more abstract and value-driven than 概念 (a general concept).

noun

guiding conceptphilosophyprinciple

Examples

理念。
Xiàn dài qǐ yè de guǎn lǐ lǐ niàn fēi cháng zhòng yào.
The management philosophy of modern enterprises is very important.
理念。
Zhè tào chǎn pǐn de shè jì lǐ niàn lái yuán yú zì rán.
The design concept of this product line comes from nature.
理念。
Jiào yù de lǐ niàn yīng gāi yǐ xué shēng wèi zhōng xīn.
The philosophy of education should be student-centered.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

理lǐprinciple

念niànthought

理 and 念 both point to thought or principle, together forming an idea or concept.

Characters in this word

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

玉玉yùjade

Sound part声符shēngfú

里

里lǐ理lǐ

Same sound today

理 pairs 玉 (jade) with 里, which shows how to say it; the jade part points to the old sense of polishing jade.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

亼心念

亼今jīnupside-down mouth
心心xīnheart

念 combines 今, an upside-down mouth, with 心, the heart, to listen to one's heart.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Abstract Concepts

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