jiàzhíguān: 价值观 - Values, Value System, Outlook on Value

• Keywords: 价值观, jiazhiguan, Chinese values, what are Chinese values, value system in Chinese, jiàzhíguān meaning, personal values in Chinese, Socialist Core Values, Chinese culture values, worldview, ethics.
• Summary: A deep dive into 价值观 (jiàzhíguān), the Chinese term for “values” or “value system.” This page explores what Chinese values mean, from personal principles in relationships to the official “Socialist Core Values” that shape modern society. Learn the meaning of `jiàzhíguān`, its cultural significance, and how to use it correctly in conversation to better understand the Chinese worldview.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiàzhíguān
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A person's, group's, or society's system of principles and judgments about what is important in life.
• In a Nutshell: 价值观 (jiàzhíguān) isn't just about a single “value”; it's a person's entire “outlook on value” (价值+观). Think of it as the internal compass that guides decisions, shapes beliefs, and defines what someone considers right, wrong, important, or unimportant. It's a fundamental concept for understanding both individual motivations and broad societal trends in China.

• 价 (jià): Price, value. This character signifies what something is worth, often in a tangible sense.
• 值 (zhí): Worth, value. This character also means “worth,” but often in a more abstract or inherent sense. Together, 价值 (jiàzhí) means “value” or “worth.”
• 观 (guān): View, outlook, concept. This character implies a way of seeing or a perspective on something.
• The characters combine logically: 价值 (jiàzhí), “value,” is combined with 观 (guān), “outlook,” to create 价值观 (jiàzhíguān)—literally an “outlook on value,” or a complete “value system.”

价值观 (jiàzhíguān) is a cornerstone of understanding modern Chinese society, operating on both personal and national levels. Compared to the Western concept of “values,” which can often be highly individualistic (“my personal values”), the Chinese 价值观 is frequently discussed in a collective context. While individual values are important, there is a strong emphasis on aligning them with the well-being of the family, the company, and the nation. A perfect illustration of this is the 社会主义核心价值观 (shèhuìzhǔyì héxīn jiàzhíguān) - Socialist Core Values. These twelve values are promoted by the government and are visible everywhere in China, from billboards to school textbooks. They are:

• National Level: 富强 (fùqiáng - prosperity), 民主 (mínzhǔ - democracy), 文明 (wénmíng - civility), 和谐 (héxié - harmony)
• Societal Level: 自由 (zìyóu - freedom), 平等 (píngděng - equality), 公正 (gōngzhèng - justice), 法治 (fǎzhì - rule of law)
• Individual Level: 爱国 (àiguó - patriotism), 敬业 (jìngyè - dedication), 诚信 (chéngxìn - integrity), 友善 (yǒushàn - friendliness)

Understanding this official set of values is key to understanding the ideals that the society is encouraged to strive for. This contrasts with the West, where a similar government-endorsed, ubiquitous list of values is less common. This highlights how 价值观 in China can be both a personal moral compass and a tool for social cohesion and national identity.

价值观 is a common word used in a variety of contexts, ranging from formal to very personal.

• In Relationships: A frequent reason cited for breakups is 价值观不合 (jiàzhíguān bù hé), meaning “our values don't align.” This can refer to differing opinions on money, family, career, or life goals.
• In Business: Companies often talk about their 核心价值观 (héxīn jiàzhíguān), or “core values,” to define their corporate culture and ethics.
• In Education & Parenting: Parents and educators aim to help children 树立正确的价值观 (shùlì zhèngquè de jiàzhíguān), “to establish correct values.” This is a major goal of the Chinese education system.
• In Social Commentary: When discussing social phenomena, news events, or celebrity behavior, people will often debate the 价值观 being promoted or displayed.

The term itself is generally neutral, but the context determines whether the values being discussed are considered positive or negative.

• Example 1:
  • 每个人的价值观都不同。
  • Pinyin: Měi ge rén de jiàzhíguān dōu bùtóng.
  • English: Everyone's values are different.
  • Analysis: A simple, neutral statement about personal values. This is a very common and basic use of the word.
• Example 2:
  • 他们因为价值观不合而分手了。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen yīnwèi jiàzhíguān bù hé ér fēnshǒu le.
  • English: They broke up because their values weren't compatible.
  • Analysis: This phrase, `价值观不合 (jiàzhíguān bù hé)`, is a very common and culturally accepted reason for ending a relationship in China.
• Example 3:
  • 诚信是我们公司的核心价值观之一。
  • Pinyin: Chéngxìn shì wǒmen gōngsī de héxīn jiàzhíguān zhī yī.
  • English: Integrity is one of our company's core values.
  • Analysis: Shows the term's use in a formal, corporate context. `核心价值观 (héxīn jiàzhíguān)` means “core values.”
• Example 4:
  • 父母应该帮助孩子树立正确的价值观。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ yīnggāi bāngzhù háizi shùlì zhèngquè de jiàzhíguān.
  • English: Parents should help their children establish correct values.
  • Analysis: `树立 (shùlì)` means “to establish” or “to set up,” and is very frequently paired with `价值观`.
• Example 5:
  • 这部电影宣扬了一种积极的价值观。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng xuānyáng le yī zhǒng jījí de jiàzhíguān.
  • English: This movie promotes a positive value system.
  • Analysis: `宣扬 (xuānyáng)` means “to propagate” or “to publicize,” often used when discussing the message of media or art.
• Example 6:
  • 你的价值观是什么？你认为生活中最重要的是什么？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de jiàzhíguān shì shénme? Nǐ rènwéi shēnghuó zhōng zuì zhòngyào de shì shénme?
  • English: What are your values? What do you think is most important in life?
  • Analysis: A direct question to understand someone's personal philosophy. The second sentence clarifies the first.
• Example 7:
  • 全球化正在挑战我们的传统价值观。
  • Pinyin: Quánqiúhuà zhèngzài tiǎozhàn wǒmen de chuántǒng jiàzhíguān.
  • English: Globalization is challenging our traditional values.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how the term is used in broader discussions about culture and society.
• Example 8:
  • 我们需要培养学生的社会主义核心价值观。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào péiyǎng xuéshēng de shèhuìzhǔyì héxīn jiàzhíguān.
  • English: We need to cultivate the Socialist Core Values in students.
  • Analysis: An example of the term used in its official, political context, which is very common in educational and government settings.
• Example 9:
  • 他的行为反映了他扭曲的价值观。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi fǎnyìng le tā niǔqū de jiàzhíguān.
  • English: His behavior reflects his distorted values.
  • Analysis: `扭曲的 (niǔqū de)` means “distorted” or “twisted,” showing how adjectives can be used to describe the nature of someone's values as negative.
• Example 10:
  • 消费主义影响了现代年轻人的价值观。
  • Pinyin: Xiāofèizhǔyì yǐngxiǎng le xiàndài niánqīngrén de jiàzhíguān.
  • English: Consumerism has influenced the values of modern young people.
  • Analysis: Another example of using `价值观` to discuss societal trends and their impact on a generation.

• Not Monetary Value: This is the most common mistake for learners. 价值观 (jiàzhíguān) refers to a system of moral/ethical principles, not the price or monetary worth of an object. For that, you should use 价值 (jiàzhí) or 价格 (jiàgé).
  • Incorrect: 这幅画的价值观很高。 (Zhè fú huà de jiàzhíguān hěn gāo.) → This means “This painting's value system is high,” which is nonsensical.
  • Correct: 这幅画的价值很高。 (Zhè fú huà de jiàzhí hěn gāo.) → “This painting's value is high.”
• System, not a Single Value: While it translates to “values” (plural) in English, the `观 (guān)` at the end implies a “view” or “system.” It refers to the entire framework of one's beliefs, not just one isolated principle. When you talk about someone's `价值观`, you're talking about their entire moral compass.
• Formal but also Personal: Although it sounds like a very formal or academic term, it is used frequently in everyday conversations, especially in serious discussions about life, relationships, and personal choices. Don't be afraid to use it.

• 价值 (jiàzhí) - Value, worth. The root of `价值观`, it can refer to both monetary and abstract worth.
• 世界观 (shìjièguān) - Worldview. How one sees the world. Often grouped with `人生观` and `价值观`.
• 人生观 (rénshēngguān) - Outlook on life. One's philosophy on the meaning and purpose of life.
• 道德 (dàodé) - Morals, ethics. Refers more specifically to principles of right and wrong conduct. `价值观` is broader.
• 原则 (yuánzé) - Principle. A fundamental rule or belief that guides one's actions. A person's `价值观` is made up of their `原则`.
• 信念 (xìnniàn) - Belief, conviction. A strong and firmly held belief.
• 核心价值观 (héxīn jiàzhíguān) - Core values. A very common and important collocation.
• 传统 (chuántǒng) - Tradition. Traditional beliefs and customs heavily influence a culture's collective `价值观`.
• 三观 (sānguān) - “The Three Outlooks/Views.” A popular slang term referring to a person's `世界观` (worldview), `人生观` (life outlook), and `价值观` (values). If someone's “三观” is different from yours, it implies a fundamental incompatibility.