dàguó: 大国 - Great Power, Major Country

• Keywords: dàguó, 大国, what does daguo mean, great power in Chinese, major country, superpower in Chinese, Chinese international relations, Chinese foreign policy, 大国心态, 大国外交
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 大国 (dàguó), a crucial term in understanding modern China. While it literally translates to “big country,” 大国 (dàguó) means “great power” or “major country” and is packed with cultural pride and political ambition. This entry explores its use in describing China's role on the world stage, its connection to the concept of “national rejuvenation,” and how it differs from the English term “superpower.” Discover why 大国 (dàguó) is essential for anyone interested in Chinese politics, culture, and current events.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dàguó
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A large, powerful, and influential nation; a great power.
• In a Nutshell: 大国 (dàguó) goes beyond a country's physical size. It describes a nation with significant economic, military, and cultural influence on a global scale. In modern China, it's a term of self-identity, reflecting both a reclaimed historical status and a future ambition. It's a proud, formal, and politically charged word that you will constantly encounter in Chinese news and official statements.

• 大 (dà): Big, large, great. This character is one of the simplest and most fundamental in Chinese. It's a pictogram of a person (人 rén) with their arms stretched out wide to signify “bigness.”
• 国 (guó): Country, nation, state. The modern character is composed of a boundary or enclosure (囗 wéi) around the character for jade (玉 yù). This suggests something precious (jade) being protected within borders.
• The two characters combine to mean “big country,” but the implied meaning is elevated from mere size to comprehensive power and influence—a “Great Power.”

The term 大国 (dàguó) is central to understanding China's contemporary national identity and foreign policy. It's deeply connected to the idea of 中华民族伟大复兴 (zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng), or “The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation.” For much of its history, China viewed itself as the region's preeminent power. The modern usage of 大国 (dàguó) signifies a return to this perceived historical norm after a “century of humiliation.” A key related concept is 大国心态 (dàguó xīntài), or the “great power mentality.” This can refer to the confidence, responsibility, and broad perspective expected of a major nation. It can also be used critically to describe a sense of arrogance or a tendency to look down on smaller nations. Comparison to “Superpower”: In the West, “superpower” often carries Cold War connotations of a bipolar world (USA vs. USSR) and military dominance. While Chinese has a direct translation, 超级大国 (chāojí dàguó), the term 大国 (dàguó) is used far more frequently to describe China's own status. Chinese official discourse often frames its foreign policy as 新型大国关系 (xīnxíng dàguó guānxì)—a “new type of great power relations”—which theoretically emphasizes mutual respect and win-win cooperation, moving away from the zero-sum competition implied by the traditional “superpower” dynamic.

大国 (dàguó) is a formal and very common term in specific contexts:

• Politics and News: It appears constantly in news headlines, political speeches, and academic articles about international relations. It is the standard term for discussing countries like the US, China, and Russia.
• National Pride: In conversation, people might use it to express pride in China's development and global standing. For example, “我们国家现在也是一个大国了” (Wǒmen guójiā xiànzài yěshì yíge dàguó le) - “Our country is now a great power.”
• Connotation: The connotation is almost always positive or neutral when used in official contexts or as a self-descriptor for China. It conveys strength, responsibility, and importance. When used to describe the actions of another “great power” (like the US), the context determines if it's neutral or critical.

• Example 1:
  • 中国现在是世界公认的大国。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó xiànzài shì shìjiè gōngrèn de dàguó.
  • English: China is now a globally recognized great power.
  • Analysis: A straightforward statement of fact you might read in an article. It highlights the “recognized” status of a 大国.
• Example 2:
  • 作为一个大国，我们应该承担更多的国际责任。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yíge dàguó, wǒmen yīnggāi chéngdān gèng duō de guójì zérèn.
  • English: As a great power, we should bear more international responsibilities.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the concept of 大国责任 (dàguó zérèn), or “great power responsibility,” a common theme in Chinese political discourse.
• Example 3:
  • 中美关系是世界上最重要的新型大国关系之一。
  • Pinyin: Zhōng-Měi guānxì shì shìjiè shàng zuì zhòngyào de xīnxíng dàguó guānxì zhīyī.
  • English: Sino-US relations are one of the world's most important new types of great power relations.
  • Analysis: This uses the specific political phrase 新型大国关系 (xīnxíng dàguó guānxì), showing how 大国 is a building block for more complex political concepts.
• Example 4:
  • 一个国家如何成为经济大国？
  • Pinyin: Yíge guójiā rúhé chéngwéi jīngjì dàguó?
  • English: How does a country become an economic great power?
  • Analysis: Here, 大国 is modified by 经济 (jīngjì) to specify the type of power being discussed. You can also have a 军事大国 (jūnshì dàguó) (military great power) or 文化大国 (wénhuà dàguó) (cultural great power).
• Example 5:
  • 大国的每一个决定都会影响全球局势。
  • Pinyin: Dàguó de měi yíge juédìng dōu huì yǐngxiǎng quánqiú júshì.
  • English: Every decision made by a great power will affect the global situation.
  • Analysis: This sentence illustrates the inherent influence and impact associated with the term 大国.
• Example 6:
  • 中国正在推行有自己特色的大国外交。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó zhèngzài tuīxíng yǒu zìjǐ tèsè de dàguó wàijiāo.
  • English: China is pursuing a great power diplomacy with its own characteristics.
  • Analysis: This introduces another key phrase, 大国外交 (dàguó wàijiāo), which is central to understanding Xi Jinping's foreign policy.
• Example 7:
  • 他非常有大国公民的自信。
  • Pinyin: Tā fēicháng yǒu dàguó gōngmín de zìxìn.
  • English: He has the self-confidence of a citizen from a great power.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how the concept of 大国 can be applied to an individual's mindset or attitude, linking to 大国心态 (dàguó xīntài).
• Example 8:
  • 在19世纪，英国是世界上最强的大国。
  • Pinyin: Zài shíjiǔ shìjì, Yīngguó shì shìjiè shàng zuì qiáng de dàguó.
  • English: In the 19th century, Great Britain was the world's strongest great power.
  • Analysis: This shows that 大国 is not exclusive to China and can be used to describe other powerful nations historically.
• Example 9:
  • 大国之间必须避免冲突，寻求合作。
  • Pinyin: Dàguó zhījiān bìxū bìmiǎn chōngtū, xúnqiú hézuò.
  • English: Great powers must avoid conflict and seek cooperation.
  • Analysis: A common sentiment expressed in international relations discussions, highlighting the high stakes of interactions between major countries.
• Example 10:
  • 仅仅土地面积大并不能算是一个真正的大国。
  • Pinyin: Jǐnjǐn tǔdì miànjī dà bìng bùnéng suànshì yíge zhēnzhèng de dàguó.
  • English: Merely having a large land area cannot be considered a true great power.
  • Analysis: This sentence explicitly makes the point that 大国 refers to comprehensive strength, not just physical size.

• Mistake: Confusing `大国 (dàguó)` with just “a big country.”
  • A learner might look at a map and call Canada a 大国. While Canada is large (地域大国 - dìyù dàguó), it is not typically referred to as a 大国 in the same political sense as the US, China, or Russia. 大国 implies comprehensive national power (综合国力 zōnghé guólì), not just territory.
  • Incorrect: 加拿大是一个大国。(Jiānádà shì yíge dàguó.) → This sounds slightly odd.
  • Better: 加拿大是一个面积很大的国家。(Jiānádà shì yíge miànjī hěn dà de guójiā.) - “Canada is a country with a very large area.”
• False Friend: “Great Power” vs. “Superpower”.
  • While related, don't use them interchangeably without understanding the nuance. In Chinese, 超级大国 (chāojí dàguó - “superpower”) is generally reserved for a nation in a league of its own, like the contemporary USA or the former USSR. 大国 (dàguó) is a broader category that can include countries like France, the UK, Russia, India, and China. China officially describes itself as a 大国, but is more modest about the 超级大国 label.

• 强国 (qiángguó) - Strong nation/powerful country. Focuses more on “strength” (e.g., military, economic) and is often used aspirationally.
• 超级大国 (chāojí dàguó) - Superpower. A more exclusive term for a globally dominant nation, a step above 大国.
• 大国外交 (dàguó wàijiāo) - Great Power Diplomacy. A specific foreign policy concept associated with modern China.
• 大国心态 (dàguó xīntài) - Great Power Mentality. The mindset and attitude of a great power and its citizens.
• 综合国力 (zōnghé guólì) - Comprehensive National Power. The blend of economic, military, tech, and cultural strength that defines a 大国.
• 中华民族伟大复兴 (zhōnghuá mínzú wěidà fùxīng) - The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation. The overarching political goal that drives China's development into a 大国.
• 世界大国 (shìjiè dàguó) - World Power. A synonym for 大国 that emphasizes a global, rather than regional, scope.
• 小国 (xiǎoguó) - Small country. The direct antonym of 大国.