zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng: 中华民族伟大复兴 - The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation

• Keywords: 中华民族伟大复兴, zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng, great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Chinese Dream, China's national rejuvenation, Xi Jinping slogan, what is the great rejuvenation, Chinese politics, Chinese nationalism.
• Summary: “The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation” (中华民族伟大复兴) is a central political slogan and national goal in contemporary China, most prominently associated with President Xi Jinping. It encapsulates the ambition for China to overcome its past “century of humiliation” and restore its position of global leadership, cultural influence, and prosperity. Far more than just political jargon, this phrase taps into a deep well of historical pride and is a cornerstone of the “Chinese Dream,” representing a powerful, collective vision for the country's future.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng
• Part of Speech: Noun Phrase
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced cultural/political term)
• Concise Definition: The great rejuvenation and revival of the Chinese nation.
• In a Nutshell: This phrase is the official name for China's grand national project: to become strong, prosperous, and respected again on the world stage. It's rooted in the idea that China was historically a glorious civilization that suffered a century of decline and foreign interference. The “rejuvenation” is about reversing this decline and reclaiming what is seen as China's rightful place in the world. It’s a vision of a future that is as glorious as its celebrated past.

• 中 (zhōng): Center, middle. The character at the heart of the word for China, `中国 (zhōngguó)`, the “Middle Kingdom.”
• 华 (huá): Splendid, magnificent, or flourishing. An ancient and poetic term for “Chinese.”
  • `中华 (zhōnghuá)` together is a formal and historical term for the “Chinese Nation” or “China” as a cultural entity.
• 民 (mín): People, or populace.
• 族 (zú): A clan, tribe, or ethnic group.
  • `民族 (mínzú)` means “nation” or “ethnic group.” `中华民族 (zhōnghuá mínzú)` refers to the entire Chinese nation, encompassing all its ethnic groups.
• 伟 (wěi): Great, grand, robust.
• 大 (dà): Big, large, great.
  • `伟大 (wěidà)` is a powerful compound word meaning “great,” “mighty,” or “grand.”
• 复 (fù): To return, restore, or do again.
• 兴 (xīng): To rise, flourish, or prosper.
  • `复兴 (fùxīng)` means “rejuvenation,” “revival,” or “renaissance.” It implies restoring something to its former glory.

Combining these parts, the phrase literally translates to “The Chinese Nation's Great Revival.”

The concept of `中华民族伟大复兴` is arguably the single most important ideological pillar of the modern Chinese state. Its power comes from its connection to the “Century of Humiliation” (百年国耻, bǎinián guóchǐ), the period from roughly 1839 (the First Opium War) to 1949 (the founding of the PRC) when China was repeatedly defeated, invaded, and forced to sign unequal treaties by foreign powers. This “rejuvenation” is framed as the definitive end to that era. It is a promise to the Chinese people that such weakness will never happen again.

• Comparison to the “American Dream”: The “American Dream” is typically understood as an individualistic pursuit of personal happiness, wealth, and upward mobility. Success is defined by and for the individual. In contrast, `中华民族伟大复兴` is profoundly collectivist. It is a national, shared project. An individual's success, hard work, and innovation are valued primarily as contributions to the greater goal of national strength and glory. The American Dream is about building a new future; the Chinese Rejuvenation is about restoring a glorious past.
• Related Values: This term is deeply intertwined with patriotism, national pride, historical consciousness, and a sense of collective destiny. It promotes the idea that the well-being and glory of the nation are the highest possible goals, to which personal ambitions should be aligned.

This is a highly formal and official term. You will encounter it constantly in state-controlled contexts.

• Political Speeches & Propaganda: This is the phrase's primary home. It is a fixture in speeches by top leaders, especially Xi Jinping. You'll see it on giant red banners, in government reports, and on primetime news broadcasts.
• Education: Chinese students learn this concept as part of their modern history and civics curriculum. It is presented as the historical mission of the Communist Party of China.
• Formal Discussions: While not used in casual small talk, it might come up in serious conversations among educated Chinese people about the country's trajectory, its technological achievements, or its role in the world.
• Connotation: Within mainland China, the connotation is overwhelmingly positive, patriotic, and aspirational. It carries a heavy, serious, and formal tone. To question it publicly would be seen as deeply unpatriotic or even subversive.

• Example 1:
  • 我们都在努力奋斗，为了实现中华民族伟大复兴。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen dōu zài nǔlì fèndòu, wèile shíxiàn zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng.
  • English: We are all striving and working hard in order to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, official-sounding sentence. The verb `实现 (shíxiàn)` - “to realize” or “to achieve” - is almost always paired with this phrase.
• Example 2:
  • 中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦，是每一个中国人的梦。
  • Pinyin: Zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng de zhōngguó mèng, shì měi yīgè zhōngguó rén de mèng.
  • English: The Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the dream of every Chinese person.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly links the grand national goal to the more personalized “Chinese Dream” (`中国梦`).
• Example 3:
  • 科技创新是推动中华民族伟大复兴的关键力量。
  • Pinyin: Kējì chuàngxīn shì tuīdòng zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng de guānjiàn lìliàng.
  • English: Technological innovation is the key force driving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
  • Analysis: This shows how specific policy goals (like tech development) are framed as contributing to the larger national project.
• Example 4:
  • 历史教科书教导我们，党的任务就是领导人民完成中华民族伟大复兴。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ jiàokēshū jiàodǎo wǒmen, dǎng de rènwù jiùshì lǐngdǎo rénmín wánchéng zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng.
  • English: The history textbooks teach us that the Party's mission is to lead the people to complete the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
  • Analysis: This highlights its use in an educational and ideological context.
• Example 5:
  • 没有任何力量能够阻挡中华民族伟大复兴的步伐。
  • Pinyin: Méiyǒu rènhé lìliàng nénggòu zǔdǎng zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng de bùfá.
  • English: No force can stop the pace of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
  • Analysis: A powerful, defiant statement often used in official media, particularly in response to international criticism or pressure.
• Example 6:
  • 我们的脱贫工作为中华民族伟大复兴奠定了坚实的基础。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de tuōpín gōngzuò wèi zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng diàndìngle jiānshí de jīchǔ.
  • English: Our poverty alleviation work has laid a solid foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
  • Analysis: This connects a concrete achievement (poverty alleviation) to the abstract, overarching national goal.
• Example 7:
  • 作为一个海外华人，我也为中华民族伟大复兴感到自豪。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yīgè hǎiwài huárén, wǒ yě wèi zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng gǎndào zìháo.
  • English: As an overseas Chinese, I also feel proud of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows how the concept can inspire feelings of pride even in people of Chinese descent living outside of China.
• Example 8:
  • 青年一代是实现中华民族伟大复兴的希望。
  • Pinyin: Qīngnián yīdài shì shíxiàn zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng de xīwàng.
  • English: The younger generation is the hope for achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
  • Analysis: This is a common trope used to motivate young people to study hard and contribute to the country.
• Example 9:
  • 雄安新区的建设是中华民族伟大复兴征程中的一个重要篇章。
  • Pinyin: Xióng'ān xīnqū de jiànshè shì zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng zhēngchéng zhōng de yīgè zhòngyào piānzhāng.
  • English: The construction of the Xiong'an New Area is an important chapter in the journey of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how massive infrastructure projects are framed within this grand historical narrative.
• Example 10:
  • 公园里的横幅上写着：“为中华民族伟大复兴而奋斗！”
  • Pinyin: Gōngyuán lǐ de héngfú shàng xiězhe: “Wèi zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng ér fèndòu!”
  • English: The banner in the park reads: “Struggle for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!”
  • Analysis: This illustrates its most direct use as a propaganda slogan seen in public spaces.

• Mistake: Treating it as just “nationalism.” While it is a form of nationalism, `复兴 (fùxīng)`—“rejuvenation” or “revival”—is key. It implies a return to a former, better state, not just a generic sense of national superiority. It has a deeply historical and restorative connotation that the English word “nationalism” lacks.
• Mistake: Assuming it's universally embraced. While it is the dominant and officially sanctioned narrative, it's important to know that private opinions can be more complex. However, for a learner, it's safest and most accurate to understand it as a powerful and widely promoted concept that underpins much of modern Chinese public life. Openly criticizing it would be a major social and political taboo.
• Mistake: Confusing it with overt military expansion. Although military modernization (`强兵`, strong military) is a component, the official rhetoric emphasizes economic development, technological leadership, cultural confidence, and a new model of global governance. It's framed as a restoration of status and influence, not necessarily as a plan for territorial conquest.

• 中国梦 (zhōngguó mèng) - The Chinese Dream. This is the more individualized expression of the grand national goal, focusing on the prosperity of the society and the happiness of the people as steps toward the Rejuvenation.
• 百年国耻 (bǎinián guóchǐ) - The Century of Humiliation. This is the historical trauma (from the 1840s to 1940s) that the Rejuvenation is meant to correct and avenge.
• 小康社会 (xiǎokāng shèhuì) - A moderately prosperous society. A specific, measurable benchmark that was declared “achieved” in 2021, serving as a key milestone on the path to the Great Rejuvenation.
• 新时代 (xīn shídài) - The “New Era.” The term used by Xi Jinping to define the current historical period, during which the goal of Rejuvenation is seen as being within reach.
• 实现 (shíxiàn) - To realize; to achieve. The verb most commonly used with this phrase, as in `实现中华民族伟大复兴`.
• 富国强兵 (fùguó qiángbīng) - Rich country, strong military. A classical Chinese phrase that captures two of the most important pillars of the Rejuvenation goal.
• 人类命运共同体 (rénlèi mìngyùn gòngtóngtǐ) - A community with a shared future for mankind. China's foreign policy vision, presented as the global outcome of its successful and peaceful Rejuvenation.