Usage note
原则是做事的基本规则或道理。
Yuánzé shì zuò shì de jīběn guīzé huò dàolǐ.
A principle is a basic rule or truth for doing things.
Context note
做人要有原则，比如诚实和善良。
Zuò rén yào yǒu yuánzé, bǐrú chéngshí hé shànliáng.
People should have principles, such as honesty and kindness.
5 examples
他坚持自己的原则，从不撒谎。
tā jiān chí zì jǐ de yuán zé， cóng bù sā huǎng。
He sticks to his principles and never lies.
公平是一个重要的原则。
gōng píng shì yí gè zhòng yào de yuán zé。
Fairness is an important principle.
我们做事要遵守原则。
wǒ men zuò shì yào zūn shǒu yuán zé。
We should follow principles when doing things.
她的原则是帮助需要帮助的人。
tā de yuán zé shì bāng zhù xū yào bāng zhù de rén。
Her principle is to help those in need.
学习也要有原则，比如认真和耐心。
xué xí yě yào yǒu yuán zé， bǐ rú rèn zhēn hé nài xīn。
Learning also requires principles, such as diligence and patience.
5 mini stories
小刚的原则是不抄袭别人的作业。他每次都自己写。
xiǎo gāng de yuán zé shì bù chāo xí bié rén de zuò yè。 tā měi cì dōu zì jǐ xiě。
Xiaogang's principle is not to copy others' homework. He always writes it himself.
小芳的原则是分享玩具。她和朋友一起玩。
xiǎo fāng de yuán zé shì fēn xiǎng wán jù。 tā hé péng yǒu yì qǐ wán。
Xiaofang's principle is to share toys. She plays with her friends.
老师告诉学生要遵守诚实的原则。大家点头同意。
lǎo shī gào sù xué shēng yào zūn shǒu chéng shí de yuán zé。 dà jiā diǎn tóu tóng yì。
The teacher told the students to follow the principle of honesty. Everyone nodded in agreement.
小明的原则是每天读书。他坚持了一个月。
xiǎo míng de yuán zé shì měi tiān dú shū。 tā jiān chí le yí gè yuè。
Xiaoming's principle is to read every day. He kept it up for a month.
小丽的原则是爱护环境。她从不乱扔垃圾。
xiǎo lì de yuán zé shì ài hù huán jìng。 tā cóng bú luàn rēng lā jī。
Xiaoli's principle is to protect the environment. She never litters.
Mini dialogue
家庭原则
A
我们家的原则是每天晚饭后一起散步。
Wǒmen jiā de yuán zé shì měi tiān wǎn fàn hòu yī qǐ sàn bù.
Our family's principle is to take a walk together after dinner every day.
B
这个原则很好，可以锻炼身体。
Zhè ge yuán zé hěn hǎo, kě yǐ duàn liàn shēn tǐ.
This principle is very good; it can exercise the body.
学习原则
A
学习的时候，我的原则是先完成作业再玩。
Xué xí de shí hòu, wǒ de yuán zé shì xiān wán chéng zuò yè zài wán.
When studying, my principle is to finish homework first before playing.
B
这是一个好原则，我也要这样做。
Zhè shì yī gè hǎo yuán zé, wǒ yě yào zhè yàng zuò.
That's a good principle; I will do the same.
Related words and contrasts
similar
规则
guīzé
rule
both guide behavior
related
遵守
zūnshǒu
to follow; obey
what you do with a 原则
related
底线
dǐxiàn
bottom line; limit
a principle you won't cross