chū shī biǎo: 出师表 - Memorial on Dispatching the Troops

• Keywords: Chushi Biao, chū shī biǎo, Zhuge Liang, Three Kingdoms, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chinese literature, memorial to the emperor, loyalty, duty, what is chushi biao, Chinese history.
• Summary: The 出师表 (chū shī biǎo) is one of the most famous pieces of classical Chinese literature, a memorial written by the legendary strategist Zhuge Liang during the Three Kingdoms period. Addressed to his young emperor, it's a moving testament to unwavering loyalty, duty, and selfless dedication. More than just a historical document, its themes and famous phrases continue to resonate in modern China, symbolizing the solemn commitment one makes before undertaking a great and difficult task.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chū shī biǎo
• Part of Speech: Noun (Proper Noun)
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A renowned memorial written by strategist Zhuge Liang to the Shu Han emperor before launching a military campaign.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine a brilliant, loyal advisor writing a heartfelt letter to the young king he has sworn to protect. This letter, the “出师表,” is his final report before leaving for a massive war. It's filled with strategic advice, warnings about corrupt officials, and a powerful promise of his absolute loyalty and dedication until death. It is the gold standard for expressing loyalty and a sense of duty in Chinese culture.

• 出 (chū): To go out, to issue, to dispatch.
• 师 (shī): In modern Chinese, this usually means “teacher.” However, in classical Chinese, it is a common word for “army” or “troops.”
• 表 (biǎo): A chart, list, or form. In this classical context, it refers to a specific type of formal document submitted to the emperor, a “memorial” or “petition.”

Combining them, 出师表 (chū shī biǎo) literally means “A Memorial (表) for Dispatching (出) the Army (师).”

The 出师表 is a cornerstone of Chinese cultural literacy, revered for both its literary elegance and its moral weight. Written by Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) to the second emperor of the Shu Han kingdom, Liu Shan (刘禅), it embodies the Confucian ideal of the loyal minister (忠臣, zhōngchén). The context is crucial: Zhuge Liang was entrusted by the dying first emperor, Liu Bei, to look after his young, inexperienced son and guide the kingdom. This memorial was written before Zhuge Liang embarked on his Northern Expeditions, a series of high-stakes campaigns against the rival kingdom of Wei. It's a mixture of strategic military briefing, political advice, and a deeply personal expression of his commitment to fulfilling his promise to the boy's father.

• Comparison to Western Concepts: While one might be tempted to compare it to a general's “battle plan” or a “resignation letter,” neither captures its essence. It's more akin to a blend of George Washington's Farewell Address (in its tone of fatherly advice and warning for the nation's future) and a CEO's solemn letter to the board before launching a bet-the-company venture. It's not a declaration of war to an enemy, but an internal document of profound loyalty and responsibility.
• Core Values: The document is the ultimate expression of 忠 (zhōng) - loyalty. The phrase from the text, 鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已 (jūgōngjìncuì, sǐ'érhòuyǐ), meaning “to bend one's back to a task and exhaust one's energy, not stopping until death,” has become a famous idiom representing the pinnacle of selfless dedication to a cause. Reading it is meant to evoke a sense of solemn, tragic duty.

While you won't hear “出师表” in everyday casual conversation, it is frequently used as a powerful metaphor in more formal or literary contexts.

• In Business and Politics: When a leader or company is about to launch a major, difficult new initiative (like a huge project or entering a new market), their keynote speech or mission statement might be referred to metaphorically as their “出师表.” It signals a point of no return and total commitment.
• In Personal Life (Often Jokingly): Someone writing a long, serious resignation letter to pursue a new dream might jokingly tell their friend, “I'm writing my '出师表' to my boss.” This implies the letter is not just a simple notice, but a heartfelt explanation of their reasons and future plans. Similarly, a student writing a proposal for a massive, difficult thesis could call it their “出师表.”
• As a Symbol of Determination: The term is invoked to express a “do-or-die” attitude when embarking on a challenging endeavor. It carries a heavy, solemn, and deeply sincere connotation.

• Example 1:
  • 每一个中国学生在中学时都必须背诵《出师表》。
  • Pinyin: Měi yīgè Zhōngguó xuéshēng zài zhōngxué shí dōu bìxū bèisòng “Chū Shī Biǎo”.
  • English: Every Chinese student must recite the “Memorial on Dispatching the Troops” in middle school.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the document's fundamental place in the Chinese educational curriculum.
• Example 2:
  • 读完诸葛亮的《出师表》，谁能不为他的忠诚而感动呢？
  • Pinyin: Dú wán Zhūgě Liàng de “Chū Shī Biǎo”, shéi néng bù wéi tā de zhōngchéng ér gǎndòng ne?
  • English: After reading Zhuge Liang's “Memorial,” who could not be moved by his loyalty?
  • Analysis: This sentence shows how the text is primarily associated with the powerful emotion of loyalty (忠诚).
• Example 3:
  • 在发布会上的演讲，被媒体称为是这位CEO进军欧洲市场的“出师表”。
  • Pinyin: Zài fābùhuì shàng de yǎnjiǎng, bèi méitǐ chēngwéi shì zhè wèi CEO jìnjūn Ōuzhōu shìchǎng de “chū shī biǎo”.
  • English: The speech at the press conference was called the CEO's “Chushi Biao” for entering the European market by the media.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of the modern, metaphorical use of the term in a business context to signify a major, committed undertaking.
• Example 4:
  • 他递交的不仅仅是一封辞职信，更像是一篇充满感情的出师表。
  • Pinyin: Tā dìjiāo de bùjǐnjǐn shì yī fēng cízhíxìn, gèng xiàng shì yī piān chōngmǎn gǎnqíng de chū shī biǎo.
  • English: What he submitted was not just a resignation letter, but more like an emotional “memorial” stating his purpose.
  • Analysis: This illustrates the metaphorical use for a significant personal decision, highlighting the sincerity and weight behind the action.
• Example 5:
  • 球队教练在决赛前发表了慷慨激昂的讲话，简直就是现代版的《出师表》。
  • Pinyin: Qiúduì jiàoliàn zài juésài qián fābiǎo le kāngkǎijī'áng de jiǎnghuà, jiǎnzhí jiùshì xiàndài bǎn de “Chū Shī Biǎo”.
  • English: The coach's passionate speech before the final match was simply a modern-day version of the “Chushi Biao.”
  • Analysis: This shows how any speech or text that aims to inspire dedication and a sense of mission before a crucial challenge can be compared to the “出师表.”
• Example 6:
  • 项目启动前，老板让我们每人写一份计划，开玩笑说这是我们的“出师表”。
  • Pinyin: Xiàngmù qǐdòng qián, lǎobǎn ràng wǒmen měi rén xiě yī fèn jìhuà, kāi wánxiào shuō zhè shì wǒmen de “chū shī biǎo”.
  • English: Before the project started, the boss had each of us write a plan, joking that it was our “Chushi Biao.”
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the humorous, metaphorical use in an office setting, implying the need for a serious commitment.
• Example 7:
  • “鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已” 这句名言就出自《出师表》。
  • Pinyin: “Jūgōngjìncuì, sǐ'érhòuyǐ” zhè jù míngyán jiù chūzì “Chū Shī Biǎo”.
  • English: The famous saying “give one's all, until death do us part” comes from the “Chushi Biao.”
  • Analysis: This directly links the text to one of China's most famous idioms about dedication.
• Example 8:
  • 这位老科学家把他的整个生命都奉献给了国家的科研事业，他的一生就是一篇无声的出师表。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi lǎo kēxuéjiā bǎ tā de zhěnggè shēngmìng dōu fèngxiàn gěi le guójiā de kēyán shìyè, tā de yīshēng jiùshì yī piān wúshēng de chū shī biǎo.
  • English: This old scientist dedicated his entire life to the country's scientific research; his life itself was a silent “Chushi Biao.”
  • Analysis: A powerful, poetic metaphor suggesting a life lived with the same dedication and sense of mission as Zhuge Liang's.
• Example 9:
  • 在决定出国留学前，我给父母写了一封长信，那算是我的出师表吧。
  • Pinyin: Zài juédìng chūguó liúxué qián, wǒ gěi fùmǔ xiě le yī fēng cháng xìn, nà suànshì wǒ de chū shī biǎo ba.
  • English: Before deciding to study abroad, I wrote a long letter to my parents; I guess you could call it my “Chushi Biao.”
  • Analysis: This shows a personal, sincere usage. The “mission” is personal growth, and the “emperor” being addressed is one's parents, showing them respect and explaining the gravity of the decision.
• Example 10:
  • 每次重读《出师表》，我都会被其中蕴含的责任感和使命感所震撼。
  • Pinyin: Měi cì chóng dú “Chū Shī Biǎo”, wǒ dōu huì bèi qízhōng yùnhán de zérèngǎn hé shǐmìnggǎn suǒ zhènhàn.
  • English: Every time I re-read the “Chushi Biao,” I am struck by the sense of responsibility and mission it contains.
  • Analysis: This sentence summarizes the core emotional impact the text has on Chinese readers.

• Not an Everyday Term: The biggest mistake is thinking this is a common word. It is a specific historical and literary reference. Using it in a light or trivial situation (e.g., “My memo about the office coffee is my 出师表”) would sound strange and overly dramatic.
• It's a “Memorial,” not a “Declaration of War”: A common misunderstanding is to see it as an aggressive document. It's an internal petition to one's own ruler, seeking approval and giving advice. The tone is deferential, loyal, and heartfelt, not belligerent.
• Connotation is Solemn and Sincere: Even when used humorously, the term “出师表” carries an undercurrent of seriousness. It implies that the task ahead is difficult, important, and requires total commitment. It is not used for tasks that are easy or insignificant.

• 诸葛亮 (Zhūgě Liàng) - The brilliant strategist and loyal chancellor who authored the “出师表”.
• 三国演义 (Sānguó Yǎnyì) - “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” the famous historical novel that immortalized Zhuge Liang and the stories surrounding the “出师表”.
• 忠诚 (zhōngchéng) - Loyalty, the core virtue and central theme of the text.
• 鞠躬尽瘁 (jū gōng jìn cuì) - A famous idiom from the text meaning “to give one's utmost, to spare no effort.” It is the highest praise for a dedicated public servant or employee.
• 三顾茅庐 (sān gù máo lú) - “Three visits to the thatched cottage.” The story of how the emperor Liu Bei humbly visited Zhuge Liang three times to persuade him to become his advisor, forming the basis for Zhuge Liang's profound loyalty.
• 蜀汉 (Shǔ Hàn) - The name of the kingdom that Zhuge Liang served.
• 奏折 (zòuzhé) - The more general and common term for a memorial or report submitted to the emperor in ancient China. “出师表” is a specific type of this.