Definition

Noun: 1. Motto, guiding principle, maxim: A short, memorable statement that expresses a fundamental belief, rule, or ideal intended to guide one's actions, decisions, or behavior. It serves as a foundational guideline for an individual, organization, or activity. 2. Line, guideline, policy: A general course of action or set of principles adopted by a group, institution, or government to direct its operations and decision-making processes.

Usage Examples

• As a motto or guiding principle:

  • "Sống và làm việc theo phương châm 'Học, học nữa, học mãi'." (Live and work according to the motto 'Study, study more, study forever'.)
  • "Phương châm của công ty chúng tôi là 'Khách hàng là thượng đế'." (Our company's guiding principle is 'The customer is king'.)
  • Anh ấy luôn giữ vững phương châm 'Chân thật là trên hết' trong công việc. (He always adheres to the maxim 'Honesty is the best policy' in his work.)

• As a line, guideline, or policy:

  • "Chúng ta cần thống nhất phương châm hành động trước khi bắt đầu dự án." (We need to agree on a line of action before starting the project.)
  • "Phương châm đối ngoại của nhà nước là hòa bình, hữu nghị và hợp tác." (The state's foreign policy guideline is peace, friendship, and cooperation.)
  • Ban lãnh đạo đã đề ra phương châm phát triển mới cho năm tới. (The leadership has set out a new development guideline for next year.)

Advanced Usage

• "theo đúng phương châm": to follow/adhere strictly to the guideline/motto.
  • Mọi hoạt động đều được thực hiện theo đúng phương châm đã đề ra. (All activities are carried out in strict adherence to the established guideline.)
• "nắm vững phương châm": to grasp/hold firmly to the guiding principle.
  • Người lãnh đạo phải nắm vững phương châm của tổ chức. (A leader must firmly grasp the organization's guiding principle.)
• "phương châm chỉ đạo": guiding principle/directive policy (emphasizing its role in providing direction).
  • Đây là phương châm chỉ đạo cho toàn bộ chiến dịch. (This is the guiding principle for the entire campaign.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khẩu hiệu (n): Slogan. A short, striking phrase used in advertising or by a group to express an aim or ideal. It is often used for propaganda or motivational purposes, while is more about a personal or organizational rule for conduct.
  • Khẩu hiệu "Vì một thế giới không rác thải nhựa" (The slogan "For a plastic-waste-free world")
• Châm ngôn (n): Proverb, saying, adage. A traditional, often metaphorical saying expressing a common truth or piece of advice. It is usually of folk origin and widely known, whereas a is often a consciously adopted personal or organizational rule.
  • "Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây" là một châm ngôn hay. ("When eating fruit, remember the planter" is a good proverb.)
• Nguyên tắc (n): Principle. A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief, behavior, or chain of reasoning. It is more abstract and foundational than a , which is the applied expression of a principle.
  • nguyên tắc dân chủ (the principle of democracy)
• Đường lối (n): Line, course, policy (often on a larger, strategic scale). It refers to a comprehensive and strategic course of action, typically for a political party or state, which is broader than a .
  • đường lối đổi mới (the renovation policy/course)

Synonyms

• Tôn chỉ: Creed, tenet. A system of beliefs or aims that guide someone's actions.
• Lẽ sống: Reason for living, philosophy of life. A deeply held personal belief that gives life meaning and direction.
• Kim chỉ nam: Guiding star, lodestar. Something that serves as a guide or model (often used metaphorically).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Phương châm xử thế": A principle/maxim for conducting oneself in life; a rule of life.
  • "Nhẫn nhịn" là phương châm xử thế của ông ấy. ("Forbearance" is his principle for conducting himself in life.)
• "Lấy... làm phương châm": To take... as one's motto/guiding principle.
  • Cô ấy lấy câu "Thất bại là mẹ thành công" làm phương châm. (She takes the saying "Failure is the mother of success" as her motto.)

noun

1. line, guideline