价值观 (jiàzhíguān)

价值观 refers to the set of values and moral principles that guide an individual's or society's judgments and behaviors. It encompasses what a person considers important, good, or desirable in life. A person's 价值观 is typically shaped by family, culture, education, and personal experience.

Meanings

noun values, value system, set of moral and ethical principles

Example Sentences

每个人的价值观都不同。 Měi gè rén de jiàzhíguān dōu bùtóng. Everyone's value system is different.

家庭对孩子价值观的形成影响很大。 Jiātíng duì háizi jiàzhíguān de xíngchéng yǐngxiǎng hěn dà. Family has a great influence on the formation of a child's values.

这部电影传递了积极的价值观。 Zhè bù diànyǐng chuándì le jījí de jiàzhíguān. This film conveys positive values.

两人因价值观不同而分手了。 Liǎng rén yīn jiàzhíguān bùtóng ér fēnshǒu le. The two broke up because of differing values.

教育应该帮助学生建立正确的价值观。 Jiàoyù yīnggāi bāngzhù xuéshēng jiànlì zhèngquè de jiàzhíguān. Education should help students establish correct values.

他的价值观在大学时期发生了很大变化。 Tā de jiàzhíguān zài dàxué shíqī fāshēng le hěn dà biànhuà. His values changed greatly during his university years.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
核心价值观	core values
正确的价值观	correct values
价值观冲突	conflict of values
传统价值观	traditional values
价值观形成	formation of values

Usage Notes

价值观 is a compound: 价值 (value/worth) plus 观 (view/perspective). The suffix 观 is very productive in Chinese and appears in words like 世界观 (worldview), 人生观 (outlook on life), and 道德观 (moral view).

When discussing values in the context of social issues or education, 价值观 is the standard term. It is often modified by adjectives such as 正确 (correct), 积极 (positive), or 传统 (traditional).

Memory Hook

价值 means "value/worth" and 观 means "view" — 价值观 is literally how you view what has worth.