国宝

guóbǎo: 国宝 - National Treasure

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: Discover the meaning of 国宝 (guóbǎo), the Chinese term for “national treasure.” This page explores how guóbǎo refers not only to priceless cultural relics and artifacts that embody China's rich history but also to its most beloved animal, the giant panda. Learn its cultural significance, how to use it in conversation to describe precious people, and why it's a powerful symbol of national pride in modern China.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): guó bǎo
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: A national treasure, referring to a priceless cultural artifact, a rare species (like the giant panda), or a highly revered person.
  • In a Nutshell: 国宝 (guóbǎo) literally translates to “nation's treasure,” and it carries a deep sense of cultural pride and historical weight. The term is most famously used in two ways: formally, for priceless artifacts like ancient bronzes or imperial jade seals that represent the pinnacle of Chinese civilization, and affectionately, for the giant panda, an animal that has become a symbol of China itself. Figuratively, it can also be used to describe a person who is considered a rare and precious asset to the country, like an aging master of a traditional art form.

Character Breakdown

  • 国 (guó): This character means “country,” “nation,” or “state.” It is a pictograph of a boundary or enclosure (囗) around the character for “jade” (玉) or “king” (王), symbolizing the valuable people and territory within a nation's borders.
  • 宝 (bǎo): This character means “treasure,” “jewel,” or “precious.” It's composed of a roof (宀) radical over “jade” (玉), suggesting something valuable being kept safely in a home.
  • Together, 国 (guó) + 宝 (bǎo) creates the very direct and powerful meaning: a treasure of the nation.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In China, a country with over 5,000 years of continuous history, the concept of a 国宝 (guóbǎo) is profoundly important. It's not just an old or valuable item; it is a tangible link to the past and a symbol of national identity, ingenuity, and continuity. These treasures embody the “soul” of the nation and are a source of immense patriotic pride. The government actively works to protect these relics and repatriate those that were taken or sold abroad, efforts that are widely celebrated by the public.
  • Comparison to Western Concepts: The term is much more emotionally charged than its English equivalent, “national treasure.” In the United States, a “National Historic Landmark” designates a place of historical importance, while “national treasure” might be used informally for a beloved actor or musician like Tom Hanks or Dolly Parton. In China, while a person can be a 国宝, the bar is exceptionally high and implies they are a unique guardian of Chinese culture (like a master calligrapher), not just a popular celebrity. The term 国宝 evokes a collective sense of ownership and reverence that is tied directly to national identity.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Formal & Literal Usage: In its most official sense, 国宝 refers to “National First-Class Cultural Relics” (国家一级文物, guójiā yījí wénwù). These are priceless items found in museums, such as the Terracotta Army, ancient calligraphy scrolls, and Ming Dynasty porcelain. You will often hear this term in documentaries, news reports about archaeological finds, or in museum descriptions.
  • The Giant Panda: The most famous and universally recognized 国宝 is the giant panda (大熊猫, dàxióngmāo). It is a symbol of China, used in international diplomacy (known as “panda diplomacy”), and is a flagship species for wildlife conservation efforts. For most Chinese people, the word 国宝 immediately brings the image of a panda to mind.
  • Affectionate or Humorous Usage: In daily conversation, Chinese people use 国宝 figuratively to describe someone who is rare, precious, and needs to be “protected.”
    • An Elderly Expert: An old master of a dying craft like traditional kite-making could be called a 国宝.
    • A Star Athlete: The single best player on a national sports team might be jokingly called the team's 国宝 because they are indispensable.
    • A Pampered Person: A family might humorously call their only child, who gets everyone's attention, “our family's little 国宝.”

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 大熊猫是中国的国宝，受到全世界人民的喜爱。
    • Pinyin: Dàxióngmāo shì Zhōngguó de guóbǎo, shòudào quán shìjiè rénmín de xǐ'ài.
    • English: The giant panda is China's national treasure and is loved by people all over the world.
    • Analysis: This is the most classic and common usage of the term, directly linking 国宝 to the giant panda.
  • Example 2:
    • 这件青铜器是国宝级的文物，禁止出境展览。
    • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn qīngtóngqì shì guóbǎo jí de wénwù, jìnzhǐ chūjìng zhǎnlǎn.
    • English: This bronze vessel is a national treasure-level cultural relic and is forbidden from being exhibited abroad.
    • Analysis: This shows the formal usage for historical artifacts. The suffix “级 (jí)” turns 国宝 into an adjective meaning “national treasure-level.”
  • Example 3:
    • 故宫博物院里收藏着许多国宝。
    • Pinyin: Gùgōng Bówùyuàn lǐ shōucáng zhe xǔduō guóbǎo.
    • English: The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) holds a collection of many national treasures.
    • Analysis: A straightforward sentence you might use when planning a trip or discussing Chinese museums.
  • Example 4:
    • 这位九十岁的书法家，真是我们国家的国宝啊！
    • Pinyin: Zhè wèi jiǔshí suì de shūfǎjiā, zhēnshi wǒmen guójiā de guóbǎo a!
    • English: This 90-year-old calligrapher is truly a national treasure of our country!
    • Analysis: This is a figurative use, expressing deep respect for a person who embodies a significant cultural skill.
  • Example 5:
    • 在我们队里，他就是国宝，我们得好好保护他。
    • Pinyin: Zài wǒmen duì lǐ, tā jiùshì guóbǎo, wǒmen děi hǎohāo bǎohù tā.
    • English: On our team, he's the national treasure; we have to protect him well.
    • Analysis: A common, informal use in a sports context. It's a slightly humorous way to say a player is invaluable.
  • Example 6:
    • 别碰我的电脑！里面的资料是我的国宝！
    • Pinyin: Bié pèng wǒ de diànnǎo! Lǐmiàn de zīliào shì wǒ de guóbǎo!
    • English: Don't touch my computer! The data inside is my national treasure!
    • Analysis: A humorous and exaggerated use to mean something is extremely precious to the speaker on a personal level.
  • Example 7:
    • 每个国家都有自己独特的国宝。
    • Pinyin: Měi ge guójiā dōu yǒu zìjǐ dútè de guóbǎo.
    • English: Every country has its own unique national treasures.
    • Analysis: A simple, declarative sentence showing the universality of the concept.
  • Example 8:
    • 保护国宝是每个公民的责任。
    • Pinyin: Bǎohù guóbǎo shì měi ge gōngmín de zérèn.
    • English: Protecting national treasures is every citizen's responsibility.
    • Analysis: This sentence reflects the patriotic and civic duty associated with the term.
  • Example 9:
    • 听说最近又有一件流失海外的国宝被成功追回了。
    • Pinyin: Tīngshuō zuìjìn yòu yǒu yī jiàn liúshī hǎiwài de guóbǎo bèi chénggōng zhuīhuí le.
    • English: I heard that another national treasure that was lost overseas was recently successfully recovered.
    • Analysis: This type of sentence is common in news reports and highlights the cultural importance of repatriating lost artifacts.
  • Example 10:
    • 我家的猫被我们宠得像个国宝一样。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ jiā de māo bèi wǒmen chǒng de xiàng ge guóbǎo yíyàng.
    • English: Our family's cat is spoiled by us as if it were a national treasure.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates the lighthearted, everyday humorous usage of the term to describe a pampered pet.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • Not Just Pandas: The most common misunderstanding for learners is thinking 国宝 *only* means “giant panda.” While the panda is the most famous example, remember the term's primary meaning relates to priceless cultural artifacts.
  • National vs. Personal Treasure: Do not use 国宝 to describe a personal valuable item, like your grandmother's necklace, unless you are being intentionally humorous and exaggerating. For a personal or family heirloom, the correct term is 传家宝 (chuánjiābǎo), which means “family-transmitted treasure.” A 国宝 must have significance to the entire nation.
  • Higher Bar than in English: While you might call a beloved celebrity a “national treasure” in English, doing so in Chinese with 国宝 is much less common and implies a much higher level of cultural contribution and reverence. It's reserved for individuals who are seen as living repositories of Chinese culture.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 文物 (wénwù) - Cultural relic/artifact. This is the official, technical term for the objects that can be classified as 国宝.
  • 大熊猫 (dàxióngmāo) - Giant Panda. The most famous living 国宝.
  • 国粹 (guócuì) - The quintessence of Chinese culture. Refers to intangible cultural treasures like Peking Opera, martial arts, or calligraphy.
  • 宝贝 (bǎobèi) - Treasure, baby, darling. A very common and informal term of endearment for people (especially children) or cherished items. It lacks the national significance of 国宝.
  • 传家宝 (chuánjiābǎo) - Family heirloom. Use this for treasures passed down through a family, distinguishing them from national-level treasures.
  • 遗产 (yíchǎn) - Heritage, legacy. Often used in phrases like 文化遗产 (wénhuà yíchǎn), meaning “cultural heritage,” a broader and more abstract concept.
  • 珍宝 (zhēnbǎo) - A rare treasure or jewel. This term emphasizes the rarity and monetary value of an object, whereas 国宝 emphasizes its cultural and national value.
  • 国宝级 (guóbǎo jí) - National treasure-level. A useful adjective to describe anything of supreme quality or importance, from a chef's cooking to a singer's voice.