Chinese word

初衷

Pronunciation

Pinyinchū zhōng

Meaning

  • nounoriginal intention

Example

我一直记得我的初衷。wǒ yì zhí jì de wǒ de chū zhōng

I have always remembered my original intention.

Illustration for 初衷 (original intention)

More examples

在人生道路上，他努力保持初衷。zài rén shēng dào lù shàng tā nǔ lì bǎo chí chū zhōng

On life's journey, he worked hard to maintain his original intention.

Core concept

The starting point inside a person that gives an action its purpose and direction.

Common phrases

  • 坚持初衷jiān chí chū zhōng

    stick to one's original intention

  • 保持初衷bǎo chí chū zhōng

    maintain one's original intention

  • 重拾初衷chóng shí chū zhōng

    rediscover one's original intention

Similar words

本心běn xīn: A person's real inner feelings and thoughts.
本意běn yì: The initial purpose or aim of a plan, decision, or action.
原意yuán yì: The first meaning intended by someone's words or actions.

Definition in Chinese

人刚开始时的初心或动机，指最初抱有的意图和愿望。rén gāng kāi shǐ shí de chū xīn huò dòng jī zhǐ zuì chū bào yǒu de yì tú hé yuàn wàng

Word origin

衷 (zhōng, "inner feelings") originally referred to the inside of clothing and later came to mean a person's inner thoughts, so 初 (chū, "beginning") marks the intention held at the outset.

Usage tips

  • This noun is especially useful when discussing whether later actions still match the reason they began, a topic that often appears in conversations about work, study, and personal goals.

Other meanings

  • true intentionnoun
  • initial thoughtnoun

Word lists with this word