勿忘初心

wù wàng chū xīnidiom
stay true to your original aspiration

无论遇到什么困难,我们都要勿忘初心,方得始终。

No matter what difficulties we encounter, we must stay true to our original aspiration to see things through to the end.


What It Really Means
To maintain unwavering commitment to one's core values, dreams, or purpose, especially when facing distractions or challenges that might lead one astray.
Literal Meaning
Do not forget your original heart/mind.
Literal Breakdown
do not+forget+original+heart/mind
Mental Image
A person holding a lantern (symbolizing their original aspiration) steady in a storm, refusing to let the wind (distractions or challenges) extinguish it.
When to Use
A team leader reminds their members during a tough project phase: 'No matter how hard it gets, we must 勿忘初心—our mission is to deliver quality work.'
Cultural Note
The idiom reflects a Confucian and Buddhist emphasis on self-cultivation and perseverance. It gained widespread popularity in modern China through the phrase '勿忘初心,方得始终,' which became a national slogan during the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2017.
formal

To remain committed to one's original purpose, ideals, or beliefs despite challenges or distractions.

创业者勿忘初心,才能在漫长的征途中坚持下去。

Entrepreneurs who stay true to their original aspiration can persist through long journeys.

这位老艺术家勿忘初心,几十年如一日地创作。

This veteran artist has stayed true to his original aspiration, creating art day in and day out for decades.

Often used in motivational or reflective contexts to emphasize perseverance and authenticity.

Collocations

勿忘初心,方得始终Stay true to your original aspiration to see things through to the end坚持勿忘初心persist in staying true to one's original aspiration

Related Phrases

方得始终phrase
only then can you achieve your ultimate goal
初心如磐metaphor
one's original aspiration is as firm as a rock

Pro Tip

Idiom Breakdown

勿 (wù) = do not, 忘 (wàng) = forget, 初 (chū) = original, 心 (xīn) = heart/mind. Literally means 'do not forget your original heart/mind.'

Gold Rule

Usage Context

Use this idiom to emphasize the importance of staying committed to one's core values or goals, especially in the face of adversity or temptation to stray.

Word Origin

Originates from the Buddhist text '大乘起信论' (Mahayana Awakening of Faith), where it emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's original enlightenment mind. The phrase was later popularized in modern Chinese as a metaphor for staying committed to one's core values or goals.

Usage Notes

Commonly used in speeches, literature, and personal reflections to inspire perseverance. Often paired with '方得始终' (fāng dé shǐ zhōng) to form a complete idiom meaning 'only then can you achieve your ultimate goal.'

Word Breakdown

do not
adverb
+
forget
verb
+
original
adjective
+
heart/mind/aspiration
noun
汉英词典