践行核心价值观

You will mostly see this in formal writing. It appears on red posters in every Chinese city. It is common in school essays and work reports. If you use it, you sound very serious. You sound like someone who cares about society. It is a 'big' phrase. Use it when discussing character or civic duty.

Use it in a graduation speech. Use it when writing a formal self-reflection for work. It is great for discussing why you volunteer. You can also use it when praising a company's ethics. If a friend does something incredibly selfless, you might say this. It shows you recognize their high moral standard.

Do not use this at a loud bar. Do not use it while playing video games. It is too heavy for casual small talk. If you tell a date you are 践行核心价值观 by paying, it might feel weird. They might think you are reading from a textbook. Avoid it in very relaxed, slang-heavy environments. Unless, of course, you are being funny.

This phrase became a massive part of daily life after 2012. The government promoted 12 specific values like 'Prosperity' and 'Integrity.' You will see these on every street corner. For many, it is the standard for being a 'civilized' person. It reflects the Confucian idea that knowledge and action must be one.

You will often see 积极践行 (actively practice). Or 自觉践行 (consciously practice). Sometimes people just say 践行 followed by a specific value. For example, 践行诚信 (practicing honesty). It is a very flexible structure for formal goals.