jueyi: 决议 - Resolution, Formal Decision

• Keywords: 决议, jueyi, Chinese resolution, formal decision in Chinese, UN resolution Chinese, board resolution Chinese, 决议 meaning, what does 决议 mean, pass a resolution in Chinese, 决议 vs 决定.
• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 决议 (juéyì), a formal Chinese term for a “resolution” or official “decision”. This page breaks down how 决议 is used in political, business, and organizational contexts, such as by the UN Security Council or a corporate board. Discover the cultural significance of this term and understand the key difference between a formal, collective 决议 (juéyì) and a general personal decision, 决定 (juédìng).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): juéyì
• Part of Speech: Noun (primarily), Verb (less common)
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A formal resolution or decision made by a group, committee, or organization after deliberation and voting.
• In a Nutshell: Don't think of 决议 (juéyì) as a casual, everyday decision. This is a word with weight. It represents the official, documented outcome of a formal meeting. Picture a United Nations assembly, a corporate board meeting, or a parliamentary session. The document they produce after debating and voting on an issue is a 决议. It's collective, official, and carries authority.

• 决 (jué): This character means “to decide” or “to determine.” It's composed of the water radical (氵) and a phonetic component (夬). Think of water breaking through a dam—a decisive, definitive action that cannot be easily reversed.
• 议 (yì): This character means “to discuss,” “to deliberate,” or “opinion.” It's made of the speech radical (言) and the character for righteousness (义). This beautifully illustrates the idea of a meaningful, principled discussion.
• Combined Meaning: The characters together literally mean “a decision (决) from a discussion (议).” This perfectly captures the essence of the word: a formal conclusion reached through a process of deliberation by a group.

In Chinese culture, particularly in political and organizational spheres, process and formality are highly valued. A 决议 (juéyì) is the embodiment of a legitimate, collective decision-making process. It signifies that a topic has been properly discussed, debated, and concluded according to established rules. A useful comparison for Western learners is to contrast a 决议 (juéyì) with a simple “motion” or “decision” in a Western context. While a board decision in the U.S. is also formal, a 决议 in the Chinese political system—especially a historical one from the Communist Party—can carry immense ideological weight. It can serve to define an entire era, settle major political debates, and set the future course for the nation. This is far more significant than a routine procedural vote. It reflects the collectivist value of presenting a unified, official stance after internal deliberation, reinforcing the authority and consensus of the governing body.

决议 (juéyì) is almost exclusively used in formal, written, or official spoken contexts. You will never hear someone say they made a 决议 to order pizza.

• Political and Governmental Context: This is the most common usage.
  • United Nations (联合国): 联合国安理会通过了一项新决议。 (The UN Security Council passed a new resolution.)
  • National People's Congress (全国人民代表大会): The NPC passes resolutions on laws, budgets, and major national policies.
  • Communist Party Meetings: Party plenums issue historical and policy-setting resolutions.
• Business and Corporate Context:
  • Board of Directors (董事会): 董事会决议批准了新的年度预算。 (The Board of Directors resolved to approve the new annual budget.)
  • Shareholder Meetings (股东大会): Shareholders vote on resolutions regarding company leadership or major strategic changes.
• Organizations and Committees:
  • Any formal body, like a student union, academic committee, or non-profit board, will use 决议 to refer to its official, voted-upon decisions.

• Example 1:
  • 联合国安理会通过了一项关于停火的决议。
  • Pinyin: Liánhéguó Ānlǐhuì tōngguòle yí xiàng guānyú tínghuǒ de juéyì.
  • English: The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution concerning a ceasefire.
  • Analysis: A classic example of 决议 in a major international political context. “To pass a resolution” is 通过决议 (tōngguò juéyì).
• Example 2:
  • 董事会投票表决，最终通过了这项决议。
  • Pinyin: Dǒngshìhuì tóupiào biǎojué, zuìzhōng tōngguòle zhè xiàng juéyì.
  • English: The board of directors voted and finally passed this resolution.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the process: 投票表决 (tóupiào biǎojué), meaning “to vote,” leads to the passing of the 决议.
• Example 3:
  • 这份决议草案将在下周的会议上进行讨论。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn juéyì cǎo'àn jiāng zài xiàzhōu de huìyì shàng jìnxíng tǎolùn.
  • English: This draft resolution will be discussed at next week's meeting.
  • Analysis: 决议草案 (juéyì cǎo'àn) means “draft resolution,” highlighting the procedural nature of the term.
• Example 4:
  • 我们必须严格执行委员会的决议。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū yángé zhíxíng wěiyuánhuì de juéyì.
  • English: We must strictly implement the committee's resolution.
  • Analysis: This shows that a 决议 is not just a statement; it's an instruction that requires action and implementation (执行).
• Example 5:
  • 该决议以压倒性多数获得通过。
  • Pinyin: Gāi juéyì yǐ yādǎoxìng duōshù huòdé tōngguò.
  • English: The resolution was passed by an overwhelming majority.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes the outcome of the vote on the 决议.
• Example 6:
  • 历史决议对党的未来发展具有指导意义。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ juéyì duì dǎng de wèilái fāzhǎn jùyǒu zhǐdǎo yìyì.
  • English: The historical resolution has guiding significance for the party's future development.
  • Analysis: This points to the high-level, foundational use of 决议 in the Chinese political context.
• Example 7:
  • 他对决议的内容提出了几点质疑。
  • Pinyin: Tā duì juéyì de nèiróng tíchūle jǐ diǎn zhìyí.
  • English: He raised several questions about the content of the resolution.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates that one can discuss or question the specifics of a 决议.
• Example 8:
  • 股东大会否决了关于公司合并的决议。
  • Pinyin: Gǔdōng dàhuì fǒujuéle guānyú gōngsī hébìng de juéyì.
  • English: The shareholders' meeting vetoed the resolution on the company merger.
  • Analysis: Shows the opposite of passing a resolution: 否决 (fǒujué), to veto or reject.
• Example 9:
  • 这项决议要求所有成员国采取一致行动。
  • Pinyin: Zhè xiàng juéyì yāoqiú suǒyǒu chéngyuánguó cǎiqǔ yízhì xíngdòng.
  • English: This resolution requires all member states to take unified action.
  • Analysis: Highlights the binding and directive nature of a 决议.
• Example 10:
  • 学生会就校园环保问题做出了一项决议。
  • Pinyin: Xuéshēnghuì jiù xiàoyuán huánbǎo wèntí zuòchūle yí xiàng juéyì.
  • English: The student union made a resolution regarding the campus environmental protection issue.
  • Analysis: Shows 决议 used in a less high-stakes, but still formal, organizational context.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 决议 (juéyì) with 决定 (juédìng).

• `决议 (juéyì)` - Resolution:
  • Collective: Always made by a group (committee, board, assembly).
  • Formal Process: The result of a formal discussion, debate, and usually a vote.
  • Official Document: It is often a written, official document.
  • Example: 董事会决议收购那家公司。 (The board resolved to acquire that company.)
• `决定 (juédìng)` - Decision:
  • Individual or Group: Can be made by one person or a group.
  • Formal or Informal: Can be a formal decision or a simple personal choice.
  • General Use: This is the default word for “decision.”
  • Example: 我决定收购那家公司。 (I decided to acquire that company.)

Incorrect Usage Example:

• Incorrect: 我决议今天晚上去看电影。(Wǒ juéyì jīntiān wǎnshang qù kàn diànyǐng.)
• Why it's wrong: Making a personal choice to see a movie is not a formal, collective resolution. It's a simple personal decision.
• Correct: 我决定今天晚上去看电影。(Wǒ juédìng jīntiān wǎnshang qù kàn diànyǐng.)

“False Friend” Alert: In English, a “resolution” can mean personal determination (e.g., “My New Year's resolution is to exercise more”). 决议 (juéyì) CANNOT be used this way. For personal determination, you should use 决心 (juéxīn).

• Correct: 我的新年决心是多做运动。(Wǒ de xīnnián juéxīn shì duō zuò yùndòng.)

• 决定 (juédìng) - The general word for “decision.” The most important term to contrast with 决议.
• 提案 (tí'àn) - A “proposal” or “motion.” This is the formal suggestion that is debated before it is potentially passed as a 决议.
• 表决 (biǎojué) - To “vote” on a matter. The action taken to pass or reject a 决议.
• 通过 (tōngguò) - “To pass,” “to adopt.” The verb most frequently used with 决议 (e.g., 通过决议).
• 决心 (juéxīn) - “Determination,” “resolve.” Used for a firm personal decision, like a New Year's resolution.
• 会议 (huìyì) - “Meeting,” “conference.” The setting where a 决议 is typically made.
• 委员会 (wěiyuánhuì) - “Committee.” A type of group that often produces a 决议.
• 协议 (xiéyì) - An “agreement” or “pact.” This is reached through negotiation *between* two or more parties, whereas a 决议 is passed *within* a single body.
• 章程 (zhāngchéng) - “Rules,” “bylaws,” “articles of association.” The rules that govern how an organization makes a 决议.