Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== dāngbīng: 当兵 - To Be a Soldier, To Serve in the Military ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 当兵, dāng bīng, serve in the military, be a soldier, enlist in China, Chinese army, PLA, joining the military, conscription in China, military service. * **Summary:** Learn what it means to **当兵 (dāng bīng)**, a common Chinese verb phrase meaning **to be a soldier** or **to serve in the military**. This comprehensive guide explores the cultural significance of joining the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in China, its practical usage in daily conversation, and how it differs from the Western concept of military service. Discover why **dāng bīng** is more than just a job—it's often a path to social mobility, a source of immense family pride, and a respected life experience. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** dāng bīng * **Part of Speech:** Verb-Object Phrase (functions as a verb) * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** To serve in the military; to be a soldier. * **In a Nutshell:** **当兵 (dāng bīng)** is the most common, everyday way to talk about the act and experience of being a soldier. It's the phrase you'd use to say "My cousin joined the army" or "My grandfather was a soldier." It's less about the single, formal act of enlistment and more about the entire process and state of serving. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **当 (dāng):** This character's primary meaning here is "to act as," "to work as," or "to serve as." Think of it as taking on a role, like in **当老师 (dāng lǎoshī)**, "to be a teacher." * **兵 (bīng):** This character means "soldier" or, more broadly, "military" or "arms/weapons." Its ancient form depicted a person holding an axe, representing a soldier. When combined, **当兵 (dāng bīng)** literally means "to act as a soldier," a straightforward and logical combination that perfectly captures its meaning. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In China, **当兵 (dāng bīng)** carries significant cultural weight, often viewed differently than military service in the West. While military service in a country like the United States is a respected choice, often driven by patriotism, career goals, or educational benefits (like the G.I. Bill), in China it's frequently seen as a powerful tool for social mobility and character building. For many young people, especially from rural or less privileged backgrounds, serving in the People's Liberation Army (解放军, Jiěfàngjūn) is a prestigious opportunity. Key cultural points: * **Path to a Better Future:** A successful military stint can lead to valuable benefits after discharge (**退伍, tuìwǔ**), such as preference for government jobs, easier entry into the Communist Party, and a lump sum of money. It's often seen as a way to "get ahead" in a competitive society. * **Source of Family Pride:** Having a child **当兵** is a great source of honor for a family. It signals that their child is disciplined, patriotic, and making a noble sacrifice for the country (**保家卫国, bǎo jiā wèi guó**). * **"Eating Bitterness" (吃苦, chī kǔ):** Military service is synonymous with enduring hardship to build resilience and strength of character. Parents might encourage a son to **当兵** to "make him a man." This value of stoically enduring difficulty is highly esteemed in Chinese culture. Therefore, **当兵** is not just a career; it's a transformative experience that shapes one's identity and social standing. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **当兵** is a versatile and common term used in a wide range of everyday situations. * **Discussing Career/Life Paths:** It's the go-to phrase when talking about someone's past, present, or future military service. It's neutral in formality and appropriate for most conversations. * **Connotation:** The connotation is almost universally positive. A person who has been a soldier (**当过兵的人, dāngguò bīng de rén**) is generally assumed to be disciplined, reliable, and strong. You might hear someone say, "Of course he's organized, he was a soldier!" * **As a Separable Verb:** Like many verb-object phrases in Chinese, **当** and **兵** can be separated. This is very common. For example, to say "he was a soldier for two years," you say 他**当**了两年**兵** (Tā dāngle liǎng nián bīng). ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 他高中毕业后就去**当兵**了。 * Pinyin: Tā gāozhōng bìyè hòu jiù qù **dāngbīng** le. * English: He went to be a soldier right after graduating from high school. * Analysis: This shows **当兵** used as a goal or destination after an event. The particle **了 (le)** indicates a completed action. * **Example 2:** * 我爷爷**当**了十年**兵**，他是个老兵。 * Pinyin: Wǒ yéye **dāng**le shí nián **bīng**, tā shì ge lǎobīng. * English: My grandpa was a soldier for ten years; he's a veteran. * Analysis: A perfect example of a separable verb. The duration "十年 (shí nián)" is placed between **当** and **兵**. * **Example 3:** * **当兵**很辛苦，但是能锻炼人的意志。 * Pinyin: **Dāngbīng** hěn xīnkǔ, dànshì néng duànliàn rén de yìzhì. * English: Being a soldier is very tough, but it can forge a person's willpower. * Analysis: Here, **当兵** functions as the subject of the sentence, representing the entire experience of military service. * **Example 4:** * 你想让你儿子去**当兵**吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ xiǎng ràng nǐ érzi qù **dāngbīng** ma? * English: Do you want your son to go serve in the military? * Analysis: A common question among parents, reflecting the cultural significance of the choice. * **Example 5:** * 他看起来很有纪律，是不是**当**过**兵**？ * Pinyin: Tā kànqǐlái hěn yǒu jìlǜ, shì bu shì **dāng**guo **bīng**? * English: He seems very disciplined, was he ever a soldier? * Analysis: Uses the particle **过 (guo)** between the verb and object to indicate a past experience. * **Example 6:** * 在中国，很多男青年都有**当兵**的梦想。 * Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó, hěn duō nán qīngnián dōu yǒu **dāngbīng** de mèngxiǎng. * English: In China, many young men have the dream of becoming a soldier. * Analysis: The phrase **当兵的梦想 (dāngbīng de mèngxiǎng)** means "the dream of being a soldier." * **Example 7:** * 要是**当兵**，就不能随便回家了。 * Pinyin: Yàoshi **dāngbīng**, jiù bùnéng suíbiàn huíjiā le. * English: If you become a soldier, you can't just go home whenever you want. * Analysis: This sentence highlights one of the sacrifices associated with military service. * **Example 8:** * 他**当**的是空军，不是陆军。 * Pinyin: Tā **dāng** de shì kōngjūn, bú shì lùjūn. * English: The military branch he served in was the Air Force, not the Army. * Analysis: Another advanced use of the separable verb, where "的 (de)" specifies the type of service. * **Example 9:** * **当兵**的经历对他影响很大。 * Pinyin: **Dāngbīng** de jīnglì duì tā yǐngxiǎng hěn dà. * English: The experience of being a soldier had a huge influence on him. * Analysis: Shows how **当兵的经历 (dāngbīng de jīnglì)** is a common set phrase for "military experience." * **Example 10:** * 不是每个人都适合**当兵**。 * Pinyin: Bú shì měi ge rén dōu shìhé **dāngbīng**. * English: Not everyone is suited to be a soldier. * Analysis: A simple, practical sentence stating a common truth. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **当兵 (dāng bīng) vs. 参军 (cānjūn):** This is the most common point of confusion for learners. * **参军 (cānjūn):** Refers specifically to the act of **enlisting** or **joining** the army. It's a momentary action. * **当兵 (dāng bīng):** Refers to the ongoing state or entire experience of **being** a soldier. * **Correct:** 他去年**参军**了。 (Tā qùnián **cānjūn** le.) - He **enlisted** last year. * **Correct:** 他现在在**当兵**。 (Tā xiànzài zài **dāngbīng**.) - He **is currently serving as a soldier**. * **Incorrect:** 他现在在参军。(Tā xiànzài zài cānjūn.) This is awkward because "enlisting" is not an ongoing state. * **Don't mistake 兵 (bīng) for just "army":** While 兵 relates to the military, the word for "army" or "armed forces" as an institution is **军队 (jūnduì)**. **兵** on its own usually means "soldier." ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[参军]] (cānjūn) - To enlist in the army. The specific action of joining, whereas **当兵** is the state of serving. * [[军人]] (jūnrén) - A formal term for military personnel or a serviceman. More formal than just "兵". * [[士兵]] (shìbīng) - A soldier, especially a private or enlisted man. More specific than **军人**. * [[军队]] (jūnduì) - The army, armed forces, or military as a whole institution. * [[退伍]] (tuìwǔ) - To be discharged or retire from the military. The direct opposite of **参军**. * [[解放军]] (jiěfàngjūn) - The People's Liberation Army (PLA), the official name for the armed forces of the People's Republic of China. * [[吃苦]] (chī kǔ) - "To eat bitterness"; to endure hardship. A core value strongly associated with the experience of **当兵**. * [[保家卫国]] (bǎo jiā wèi guó) - A four-character idiom meaning "to defend one's home and protect the country"; the ultimate duty of a soldier.