初衷 chūzhōng original intention
How to remember 初衷: 初 beginning + 衷 sincere = original intention.
Characters
How it is used
- 'One's original intention / founding purpose' - 不忘初衷 (bú wàng chūzhōng) never forget your original aspiration, 违背初衷 to betray one's original intent.
- A slightly literary, earnest word for the sincere motive you started with; 初心 (chūxīn) is a very close cousin, popularized as a political slogan.
Example sentences
- 这不是我的初衷。 Zhè búshì wǒ de chūzhōng.That wasn't my intent.