<p>本质 here means <em>root; ultimate.</em> </p>

<p>本质目的 = end goal. You can also say 根本目的.</p>

<p>Your sentence sounds fine but isn't the best example to demonstrate usage, because it's kind of obvious. A better example might be:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>商业活动的本质目的是盈利。The end goal for any commercial activity is making profit. </p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-04T02:50:40.503Z
Would you accept 本质目的  as 'main aim'?
Pedroski
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-04T03:05:42.533Z
@Pedroski 本质 means 'essential/substantial', which is a bit different from 'main'. 'Main aim' is 主要目的.
user58955
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-04T02:14:59.183Z
2015-09-04T02:14:59.183Z
NS.X.
<p>I would translate it as "essential".</p>

<p>"Essential/本质/根本" is like you peel an onion. "Ultimate/终极" is like you go along the way and reach somewhere eventually. "Primary/主要" is like you have a few rocks and you want the biggest one.</p>

<p>Well the onion example may be inappropriate because there isn't a core and it's always the same when you peel it, but nothing pops into my mind at the moment...</p>

<p>Let's say "essential" is like you peel a chestnut. Hmm this is better.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-08T16:05:42.750Z
2015-09-08T16:05:42.750Z
golddc
<p>When I look up 本质 I get English meanings like 'essence, nature， innate character', esoteric stuff like that.</p>

<p>学习必须讲究方法，而改进学习方法的<strong>本质目的</strong>，就是要提高学习效率。</p>

<p>I think 本质 here actually means 主要， 最初 and 本质目的 is 'primary aim'.</p>

<p>Could I use 主要 here instead of 本质 and not affect the original meaning?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-08T17:00:17.790Z
I think you are looking for the word "fundamental"
sotondolphin
<meaning>
How to interpret 本质 here?
# How to interpret 本质 here?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-09-04)

When I look up 本质 I get English meanings like 'essence, nature， innate character', esoteric stuff like that.

学习必须讲究方法，而改进学习方法的**本质目的**，就是要提高学习效率。

I think 本质 here actually means 主要， 最初 and 本质目的 is 'primary aim'.

Could I use 主要 here instead of 本质 and not affect the original meaning?

**Tags:** meaning

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I think you are looking for the word "fundamental"  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-09-04. Score: 1

本质 here means *root; ultimate.*

本质目的 = end goal. You can also say 根本目的.

Your sentence sounds fine but isn't the best example to demonstrate usage, because it's kind of obvious. A better example might be:

> 商业活动的本质目的是盈利。The end goal for any commercial activity is making profit.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Would you accept 本质目的  as 'main aim'?  
> **username_3**: @username_0 本质 means 'essential/substantial', which is a bit different from 'main'. 'Main aim' is 主要目的.  

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### Answer by username_4 on 2015-09-08. Score: 1

I would translate it as "essential".

"Essential/本质/根本" is like you peel an onion. "Ultimate/终极" is like you go along the way and reach somewhere eventually. "Primary/主要" is like you have a few rocks and you want the biggest one.

Well the onion example may be inappropriate because there isn't a core and it's always the same when you peel it, but nothing pops into my mind at the moment...

Let's say "essential" is like you peel a chestnut. Hmm this is better.


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