principal在合同翻译中通常有以下三层含义：(1)本金，如principal and interest本金和利息等；(2)主要的；(3)委托人（本人），与代理人相对，如principal and agent 委托人与代理人，或本人与代理人
1
The Convertible Bond represented by this Convertible Bond Instrument bears interest (the Interest) from (and including) its Convertible Bond Issue Date to (but excluding) the Original Maturity Date or, if the Original Maturity Date is extended pursuant to Condition III (Extension), the Final Maturity Date at the rate of nine and one half per cent. per annum (the Interest Rate) on the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Bond represented by this Convertible Bond Instrument.
本可转换债券契据所代表的可转换债券有利息（下称“利息”）产生，计息期间自其可转换债券发行之日（含）至原始到期日，或如果原始到期日按照第III条（延期）延期的，则至最终到期日（不含），就本可转换债券契据所代表的可转换债券未偿付的本金总额而言，每年为百分之九点五（9.5%）的利率。
2
principal place of business主要营业地
principal office主要办事处
