# 开宗明义

kāi zōng míng yì

State the main point at the outset

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Open the subject and clarify its meaning

**Traditional Chinese:** 開宗明義

**Register:** Formal · general

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe an introduction that clearly declares its purpose.

Usually deliberate structure, not any casual opening remark.

## Understanding the expression

An opening establishes the subject and immediately explains the guiding point. The expression describes writing or speaking that does not leave its purpose hidden until much later. A report can begin with its conclusion, or a discussion can state its limits. This clarity helps listeners understand how later details fit. It does not mean the opening must include every argument; the goal is a clear direction rather than an overloaded first sentence.

## Examples

报告开宗明义，先说明调查目的。

### Traditional Chinese

報告開宗明義，先說明調查目的。

bào gào kāi zōng míng yì ， xiān shuō míng diào chá mù dì 。

The report begins by clearly stating its purpose.

她开宗明义地说这不是推销。

### Traditional Chinese

她開宗明義地說這不是推銷。

tā kāi zōng míng yì dì shuō zhè bú shì tuī xiāo 。

She states at the outset that this is not a sales pitch.

文章开宗明义，指出核心问题。

### Traditional Chinese

文章開宗明義，指出核心問題。

wén zhāng kāi zōng míng yì ， zhǐ chū hé xīn wèn tí 。

The article opens with the central issue.

会议开始，他开宗明义地列出目标。

### Traditional Chinese

會議開始，他開宗明義地列出目標。

huì yì kāi shǐ ， tā kāi zōng míng yì dì liè chū mù biāo 。

He clearly lists the goals at the meeting's start.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%96%8B%E5%AE%97%E6%98%8E%E7%BE%A9)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=586&webMd=1&la=0)

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