Meaning of 方针
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- policy
- guidelines
Measure word: 個|个
How to use 方针
方针 is a formal word used for broad, long-term policies or guiding principles, often from governments, companies, or schools. It pairs with verbs like 制定 (zhìdìng, to draw up) and 贯彻 (guànchè, to carry out). Example: 公司制定了新的发展方针。(Gōngsī zhìdìng le xīn de fāzhǎn fāngzhēn.) The company set out a new development policy.
方 (fāng) means direction, and 针 (zhēn) is a needle, like the needle of a compass. A 方针 is the compass needle that points an organization in the right direction.
Common mistake: Learners often use 方针 where 方法 (fāngfǎ) fits better. 方针 is a high-level guiding principle, while 方法 is a practical method for doing a task, so say 学习方法 for study methods, not 学习方针.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
方 fāng · square · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
针 zhēn · needle · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Related words
Words that share a character with 方针.
| 地方 | dìfang | region; regional (away from the central administration) |
| 方法 | fāngfǎ | method; way; technique; procedure |
| 方向 | fāngxiàng | direction; orientation |
| 方面 | fāngmiàn | respect; aspect |
| 方便 | fāngbiàn | convenient; suitable; to facilitate; to make things easy |
| 南方 | nánfāng | south; southern direction; (in China) southern regions, often referring to areas south of |
| 北方 | běifāng | north; the northern part a country |
| 西方 | xīfāng | the West; the Occident |
| 东方 | dōngfāng | east |
| 方便面 | fāngbiànmiàn | instant noodles |
| 方式 | fāngshì | way; method; manner; mode; pattern (of behavior etc) |
| 对方 | duìfāng | the other person; the other side; the other party |
Questions about 方针
What does 方针 mean?
方针 (fāngzhēn) means "policy; guidelines" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 方针?
方针 is made of 2 characters: 方 (4 strokes), 针 (7 strokes). That is 11 strokes in total.
Is 方针 an HSK word?
Yes. 方针 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 方针 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 方针 is written 方針.
What is the difference between 方针 and 政策 (zhèngcè)?
方针 is the overall guiding direction, and 政策 is a more specific policy or set of rules made to follow that direction. In official language they often appear together as 方针政策.
Can I use 方针 for personal plans?
It sounds too formal for everyday personal plans. For your own goals, words like 计划 (jìhuà, plan) or 原则 (yuánzé, principle) sound more natural.