bù wàng chū xīn: 不忘初心 - Never Forget Your Original Intention, Stay True to Your Mission

• Keywords: 不忘初心, bu wang chu xin, buwangchuxin, don't forget your original intention, stay true to your mission, never forget why you started, Chinese idiom, Chinese phrase, what does buwang chuxin mean
• Summary: “不忘初心” (bù wàng chū xīn) is a profound Chinese idiom that means “never forget your original intention” or “stay true to your mission.” Originating from Buddhist scripture, this phrase has become a cornerstone of modern Chinese culture, used everywhere from official government slogans to personal motivational quotes. It serves as a powerful reminder to stay grounded in one's initial purpose and passion, especially when facing challenges or the temptations of success.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bù wàng chū xīn
• Part of Speech: Idiomatic Expression / Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced)
• Concise Definition: To not forget one's original intention or aspiration.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine the pure, simple reason you first decided to start a difficult journey—whether it's a career, a relationship, or learning a new skill. “不忘初心” is the act of holding onto that initial, sincere motivation. It’s about remembering the 'why' behind your 'what', and not letting a changing world change your core purpose.

• 不 (bù): A negative particle, meaning “not” or “no.”
• 忘 (wàng): To forget. It's composed of 亡 (wáng, to disappear) on top and 心 (xīn, heart) on the bottom, vividly picturing something “disappearing from the heart.”
• 初 (chū): Beginning, initial, first. It's composed of 衣 (yī, clothes) and 刀 (dāo, knife), originally meaning to cut fabric to make clothes—the very first step.
• 心 (xīn): Heart, mind, or intention. It's a pictograph of a human heart.

Together, these characters literally translate to “not forget the initial heart.” This beautifully captures the idea of preserving the purity of one's original goals and feelings.

While the phrase has ancient roots in the Buddhist Avatamsaka Sutra (《华严经》), its meteoric rise in modern China is largely due to its adoption by Chinese President Xi Jinping. It is frequently used in political contexts, often paired with “牢记使命” (láojì shǐmìng), meaning “firmly remember the mission.” The full slogan is “不忘初心，牢记使命,” urging Communist Party members to remember the party's founding goals. Due to this high-profile usage, the phrase carries a formal and serious weight. However, it has also transcended politics to become a widely used inspirational concept for the general public. Comparison to a Western Concept: In the West, we might say “stay true to yourself” or “never forget where you came from.” These are similar but lack the specific focus of “不忘初心.” “不忘初心” is less about personal identity and more about the purity of the initial purpose. It’s the difference between “staying true to who you are now” and “staying true to the pure-hearted person who first dared to dream.” It implies a moral commitment to an original, uncorrupted ideal.

The term is versatile and can be found in various contexts, ranging from extremely formal to deeply personal.

• Formal & Political: This is its most prominent usage. You will see it on government banners, in official speeches, and in state media, referring to national or party goals. In this context, it is a serious call to action and a reminder of duty.
• Corporate & Professional: Companies use “不忘初心” in their mission statements or during annual meetings to remind employees of the company's founding vision. A CEO might use it to inspire a team to overcome a difficult quarter by remembering why they started the business in the first place.
• Personal & Inspirational: This is how most people use it in daily life. It's a popular caption for social media posts about anniversaries (don't forget why you fell in love), personal achievements (don't forget the passion that got you here), or overcoming hardship. It’s a way of saying, “I'm still holding on to my original dream.”

• Example 1:
  • 无论未来多艰难，我们都要不忘初心。
  • Pinyin: Wúlùn wèilái duō jiānnán, wǒmen dōu yào bù wàng chū xīn.
  • English: No matter how difficult the future is, we must never forget our original intention.
  • Analysis: A classic inspirational sentence, suitable for a team speech or personal encouragement.
• Example 2:
  • 很多公司成功以后，就忘了自己不忘初心的承诺。
  • Pinyin: Hěnduō gōngsī chénggōng yǐhòu, jiù wàng le zìjǐ bù wàng chū xīn de chéngnuò.
  • English: After becoming successful, many companies forget their promise to stay true to their mission.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the phrase to critique organizations that have lost their way.
• Example 3:
  • 作为一名党员，我们必须不忘初心，牢记使命。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng dǎngyuán, wǒmen bìxū bù wàng chū xīn, láojì shǐmìng.
  • English: As Party members, we must not forget our original intention and keep our mission firmly in mind.
  • Analysis: This is the full, official political slogan. A learner would hear this frequently in Chinese news and formal settings.
• Example 4:
  • 他提醒自己要不忘初心，继续为梦想奋斗。
  • Pinyin: Tā tíxǐng zìjǐ yào bù wàng chū xīn, jìxù wèi mèngxiǎng fèndòu.
  • English: He reminded himself to stay true to his original aspiration and continue to strive for his dream.
  • Analysis: This shows the phrase used for personal motivation and goal-setting.
• Example 5:
  • 结婚十年了，他们依然不忘初心，像当初一样相爱。
  • Pinyin: Jiéhūn shí nián le, tāmen yīrán bù wàng chū xīn, xiàng dāngchū yīyàng xiāng'ài.
  • English: After ten years of marriage, they still remember why they first fell in love and love each other just as they did at the beginning.
  • Analysis: A great example of applying this concept to relationships, emphasizing the initial feelings.
• Example 6:
  • 这位艺术家的成功秘诀就是不忘初心，始终坚持自己的风格。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi yìshùjiā de chénggōng mìjué jiùshì bù wàng chū xīn, shǐzhōng jiānchí zìjǐ de fēnggé.
  • English: This artist's secret to success is staying true to his original vision and always adhering to his own style.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates its use in creative or artistic fields.
• Example 7:
  • 经过这么多年的努力，你还记得你的初心吗？
  • Pinyin: Jīngguò zhème duō nián de nǔlì, nǐ hái jìde nǐ de chūxīn ma?
  • English: After all these years of hard work, do you still remember your original intention?
  • Analysis: This uses the noun form, 初心 (chūxīn), to ask a reflective question. The spirit of “不忘初心” is implied.
• Example 8:
  • 我们的团队精神是：不忘初心，方得始终。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de tuánduì jīngshén shì: bù wàng chū xīn, fāng dé shǐzhōng.
  • English: Our team's spirit is: Only by not forgetting our original intention can we achieve our ultimate goal.
  • Analysis: This uses the full, original classical phrase, which sounds very profound and literary. “方得始终” (fāng dé shǐzhōng) is the powerful conclusion.
• Example 9:
  • 即使面对巨大的诱惑，他也没有忘记自己的初心。
  • Pinyin: Jíshǐ miànduì jùdà de yòuhuò, tā yě méiyǒu wàngjì zìjǐ de chūxīn.
  • English: Even when faced with great temptation, he did not forget his original intention.
  • Analysis: Again, using the noun form 初心 (chūxīn) to highlight the moral dimension of the concept—resisting corruption.
• Example 10:
  • 不忘初心是每个创业者都应该牢记的座右铭。
  • Pinyin: Bù wàng chū xīn shì měi gè chuàngyèzhě dōu yīnggāi láojì de zuòyòumíng.
  • English: “Never forget why you started” is a motto that every entrepreneur should firmly remember.
  • Analysis: This shows the phrase itself being treated as a concept or motto.

• Not for Trivial Goals: A common mistake is to apply this profound phrase to small, everyday tasks. You wouldn't say “不忘初心” about your goal to finish your laundry. It's reserved for significant, long-term, and often life-defining aspirations.
• Awareness of Political Connotation: In Mainland China, the phrase is strongly associated with the CPC and government rhetoric. Using it can make you sound formal or even like you're quoting a slogan. This isn't necessarily bad, but it's a critical piece of context to be aware of. In Taiwan or other Chinese-speaking regions, this political overtone is much weaker.
• “初心” vs. “目标 (mùbiāo)”: A “初心” (chūxīn) is the initial, heartfelt reason or aspiration. A “目标” (mùbiāo) is a concrete goal or target. You might have a goal (目标) to get 10,000 customers, but your founding aspiration (初心) was to help people solve a problem. “不忘初心” is about remembering the latter, not just the former.

• 初衷 (chūzhōng) - Original intention. A synonym for the “初心” part of the phrase, often used as a noun.
• 牢记使命 (láojì shǐmìng) - To firmly remember the mission. The phrase that almost always follows “不忘初心” in official political contexts.
• 始终如一 (shǐzhōng rúyī) - Consistent from beginning to end. Describes the result of someone who has successfully “不忘初心.”
• 坚持不懈 (jiānchí bùxiè) - To persevere relentlessly. Describes the action needed to live up to one's “初心.”
• 有始有终 (yǒu shǐ yǒu zhōng) - To have a beginning and an end; to see something through. A related concept about finishing what one starts.
• 本心 (běnxīn) - One's original heart/mind; one's true nature. Similar to 初心 but with a slightly more philosophical/innate connotation.
• 饮水思源 (yǐn shuǐ sī yuán) - When drinking water, remember its source. An idiom about gratitude and remembering one's roots, which shares a similar spirit of not forgetting the past.