旨 zhǐ purpose
aim; intention; purpose; will
How it came to be
A spoon tipped down towards a mouth: tasting. What you say after tasting is what the thing really is. The sense of 'the main point' comes straight from that.
How it is used
- Formal noun for aim or purpose - 宗旨 (zōngzhǐ) guiding aim, 主旨 (zhǔzhǐ) main point/gist.
- As a verb-like 旨在 (zhǐzài), 'aims to': 本活动旨在推广阅读 (běn huódòng zhǐzài tuīguǎng yuèdú) this event aims to promote reading. Written register only.