zhǔjiàn: 主见 - Having One's Own Opinion, Independent Judgment

• Keywords: zhujian, 主见, what does zhujian mean, having your own opinion in Chinese, independent thinking Chinese, Chinese word for mind of your own, stubborn vs independent Chinese, 意见 vs 主见, Chinese culture, HSK 5
• Summary: Discover the crucial Chinese term 主见 (zhǔjiàn), which means having a mind of one's own or independent judgment. This page explores its deep cultural significance, contrasting the Western ideal of individuality with Chinese values of harmony. Learn how to use 主见 (zhǔjiàn) correctly in conversations, understand its difference from being stubborn (固执), and see why it's a key trait for both personal and professional success in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhǔjiàn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: 5
• Concise Definition: One's own definite opinion or the ability to form independent judgments.
• In a Nutshell: 主见 (zhǔjiàn) isn't just about having an opinion; it's about being the kind of person who has their own well-considered opinions and doesn't just follow the crowd. It's a highly valued personal quality that signifies maturity, confidence, and thoughtfulness. While similar to “independent thinking,” its expression is often tempered by social and cultural expectations.

• 主 (zhǔ): Master, main, host, to be in charge. Think of this character as representing something primary or in control.
• 见 (jiàn): To see, view, opinion. This character is derived from a picture of a person (人) with a large eye (目), emphasizing the act of seeing or one's viewpoint.
• Combined Meaning: Together, 主见 (zhǔjiàn) literally translates to “master view” or “main opinion.” This beautifully illustrates the concept: it's the opinion that you are the master of, not one borrowed from others. It is your own, core viewpoint.

In many Western cultures, having a strong, independent opinion is almost always seen as a virtue. In China, the value of 主见 (zhǔjiàn) is more nuanced and context-dependent. On one hand, a person with 主见 (zhǔjiàn) is respected for being thoughtful, reliable, and not easily swayed. In modern business and among younger generations, it's an increasingly praised trait, seen as essential for leadership and innovation. On the other hand, traditional Chinese values like collectivism, harmony (和谐, héxié), and respect for elders/superiors can create situations where expressing strong personal opinions is discouraged. Asserting your 主见 (zhǔjiàn) too forcefully, especially against a senior or a group consensus, might be perceived as being stubborn (固执, gùzhí), disrespectful, or causing others to lose “face” (面子, miànzi). The cultural ideal is to have 主见 but to know when and how to express it appropriately. It's a delicate dance between maintaining your own judgment and preserving group harmony.

The term 主见 (zhǔjiàn) is commonly used to describe a person's character.

• Positive Connotation: It's often used as a compliment, especially when praising someone's decision-making ability or maturity. Parents want their children to develop 主见, and leaders are expected to have it.
  • “他是一个有主见的人。” (tā shì yī gè yǒu zhǔjiàn de rén) - “He is a person with his own opinions.”
• Neutral/Slightly Negative Connotation: When someone's independent opinions become an obstacle, the term can carry a hint of frustration. It implies they are not easily persuaded.
  • “她太有主见了，我的建议她根本不听。” (tā tài yǒu zhǔjiàn le, wǒ de jiànyì tā gēnběn bù tīng) - “She's too set in her ways; she won't listen to my advice at all.”
• Absence of 主见: The lack of 主见 is almost always negative, implying someone is indecisive, weak-willed, or a people-pleaser.
  • “你不能总是没主见，要自己做决定。” (nǐ bùnéng zǒngshì méi zhǔjiàn, yào zìjǐ zuò juédìng) - “You can't always be so indecisive, you need to make your own decisions.”

• Example 1:
  • 你得有自己的主见，不能别人说什么就是什么。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ děi yǒu zìjǐ de zhǔjiàn, bùnéng biérén shuō shénme jiùshì shénme.
  • English: You have to have your own judgment; you can't just agree with whatever other people say.
  • Analysis: This is a classic piece of advice, encouraging independent thought. It highlights the core meaning of 主见 as a defense against blindly following others.
• Example 2:
  • 他这个人最大的缺点就是没主见。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén zuìdà de quēdiǎn jiùshì méi zhǔjiàn.
  • English: This person's biggest weakness is that he has no mind of his own.
  • Analysis: Here, “没主见” (méi zhǔjiàn - to not have zhǔjiàn) is presented as a significant character flaw.
• Example 3:
  • 作为领导，必须有主见，才能带领团队前进。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi lǐngdǎo, bìxū yǒu zhǔjiàn, cáinéng dàilǐng tuánduì qiánjìn.
  • English: As a leader, you must have independent judgment to be able to lead the team forward.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes that 主见 is considered an essential quality for leadership.
• Example 4:
  • 我很欣赏她，因为她总是有自己独到的主见。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hěn xīnshǎng tā, yīnwèi tā zǒngshì yǒu zìjǐ dúdào de zhǔjiàn.
  • English: I really admire her because she always has her own unique and insightful opinions.
  • Analysis: The adjective “独到” (dúdào - unique, original) reinforces the positive, thoughtful nature of 主见.
• Example 5:
  • 在这个问题上，我希望听听你自己的主见。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhège wèntí shàng, wǒ xīwàng tīngting nǐ zìjǐ de zhǔjiàn.
  • English: On this issue, I hope to hear your own independent opinion.
  • Analysis: Note the phrasing. It's asking for their zhǔjiàn, not just their yìjiàn (opinion), implying a desire for a well-considered, personal stance.
• Example 6:
  • 他看起来很有主见，但实际上总是随大流。
  • Pinyin: Tā kànqǐlái hěn yǒu zhǔjiàn, dàn shíjìshang zǒngshì suí dà liú.
  • English: He seems to have a mind of his own, but in reality, he always just follows the crowd.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts having 主见 with “随大流” (suí dà liú - to follow the crowd), which is its direct antonym in practice.
• Example 7:
  • 父母应该鼓励孩子从小培养主见。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ yīnggāi gǔlì háizi cóngxiǎo péiyǎng zhǔjiàn.
  • English: Parents should encourage their children to cultivate independent judgment from a young age.
  • Analysis: “培养” (péiyǎng - to cultivate, to nurture) is often used with 主见, showing that it's seen as a quality that can and should be developed over time.
• Example 8:
  • 她很有主见，决定了的事情就不会轻易改变。
  • Pinyin: Tā hěn yǒu zhǔjiàn, juédìng le de shìqing jiù búhuì qīngyì gǎibiàn.
  • English: She has a very firm mind of her own; once she decides something, she won't change it easily.
  • Analysis: This example shows the link between 主见 and being resolute or decisive. Depending on the context, this could be seen as positive (steadfast) or negative (stubborn).
• Example 9:
  • 别再问我了，这件事你自己拿主见吧！
  • Pinyin: Bié zài wèn wǒ le, zhè jiàn shì nǐ zìjǐ ná zhǔjiàn ba!
  • English: Stop asking me, just make up your own mind about this!
  • Analysis: “拿主见” (ná zhǔjiàn) is a common colloquial phrase meaning “to make a decision” or “to decide for oneself.” It's an active command to use one's own judgment.
• Example 10:
  • 一个没有主见的人很容易被别人利用。
  • Pinyin: Yī gè méiyǒu zhǔjiàn de rén hěn róngyì bèi biérén lìyòng.
  • English: A person without a mind of their own can be easily taken advantage of by others.
  • Analysis: This sentence serves as a warning, highlighting the practical importance of developing 主见 for self-protection.

• 主见 (zhǔjiàn) vs. 意见 (yìjiàn): This is the most critical distinction for learners.
  • 意见 (yìjiàn) is a simple “opinion,” “idea,” or “suggestion.” Anyone can have one. “I have an opinion.” (我有一个意见。)
  • 主见 (zhǔjiàn) is the character trait of having one's own firm opinions. It describes a person. “He is a person who has his own opinions.” (他是一个有主见的人。)
  • Incorrect: ~~我的主见是我们应该早点出发。~~ (Wǒ de zhǔjiàn shì wǒmen yīnggāi zǎodiǎn chūfā.)
  • Correct: 我的意见是我们应该早点出发。 (Wǒ de yìjiàn shì wǒmen yīnggāi zǎodiǎn chūfā.)
  • Correct: 在这件事上，你要有自己的主见。 (Zài zhè jiàn shì shàng, nǐ yào yǒu zìjǐ de zhǔjiàn.)
• 有主见 (yǒu zhǔjiàn) vs. 固执 (gùzhí):
  • 有主见 (yǒu zhǔjiàn - to have one's own opinion) is generally positive. It implies you have listened to others and made a rational, independent decision.
  • 固执 (gùzhí - stubborn) is negative. It implies you refuse to listen to reason or consider other perspectives, even when you might be wrong. The line between them is often cultural and subjective.

• 意见 (yìjiàn) - An opinion, suggestion. What someone with 主见 has.
• 看法 (kànfǎ) - A point of view. A synonym for 意见, but literally “way of seeing.”
• 固执 (gùzhí) - Stubborn, obstinate. The negative extreme of being too firm in one's 主见.
• 随大流 (suí dà liú) - To follow the crowd. The direct behavioral antonym of having 主见.
• 没主意 (méi zhǔyi) - Indecisive, to have no idea. Describes a state of lacking 主见 in a specific situation.
• 独立 (dúlì) - Independent. 主见 is a key component of being an independent thinker (思想独立).
• 果断 (guǒduàn) - Decisive, resolute. A person with 主见 can often act very 果断.
• 立场 (lìchǎng) - Stance, position. Your 立场 on an issue is the specific viewpoint that results from your 主见.
• 人云亦云 (rén yún yì yún) - To echo what others say; to have no views of one's own. A four-character idiom (chengyu) describing someone with no 主见.