guófáng: 国防 - National Defense

• Keywords: guofang, 国防, national defense, China national defense, Chinese military, People's Liberation Army (PLA), Ministry of National Defense, 国防部, Chinese security, defense policy, military affairs.
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 国防 (guófáng), the Chinese term for “national defense.” This page explores its core definition, character origins, and crucial role in modern Chinese society and politics. Discover how 国防 is more than just military hardware; it's a concept deeply tied to China's history, national sovereignty, patriotism, and its goal of national rejuvenation. Understand its use in formal contexts, from news reports on the 国防部 (Ministry of National Defense) to discussions about the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): guó fáng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: The organized effort, system, and military capability a country uses to protect its sovereignty, territory, and interests.
• In a Nutshell: 国防 (guófáng) directly translates to “national defense,” but it's a heavyweight term in Chinese. It's not just about soldiers and weapons; it's a pillar of national pride and government policy. Think of it as the country's ultimate security blanket, one that is constantly being discussed, strengthened, and displayed. The concept is deeply linked to China's modern history and its determination to never again be seen as weak on the world stage.

• 国 (guó): Nation, country, state. The modern character is composed of 囗 (wéi), an enclosure representing borders, and 玉 (yù), meaning jade or treasure, inside it. Pictorially, it represents “the treasure within the borders.”
• 防 (fáng): To defend, to guard against, to prevent. The left radical 阝(fù) is a variant of 阜, meaning “mound” or “hill,” often associated with fortifications and boundaries. The right side 方 (fāng) provides the sound. Together, it suggests defending a boundary or territory.

These two characters combine literally and powerfully to mean “defending the nation.”

In China, 国防 (guófáng) is a concept saturated with historical and political meaning. It is intrinsically linked to the “Century of Humiliation” (百年国耻 bǎinián guóchǐ), a period from the mid-19th to mid-20th century when China suffered numerous foreign invasions and unequal treaties. Consequently, building a strong 国防 is seen as a fundamental prerequisite for national sovereignty, dignity, and the “Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation” (中华民族伟大复兴 Zhōnghuá Mínzú Wěidà Fùxīng). A helpful comparison is with “national defense” in the United States. While both refer to military protection, the emphasis differs. In American discourse, “national defense” is often linked to global power projection, alliances, and expeditionary capabilities. In China, 国防 is officially and culturally framed with a stronger emphasis on defense of territorial integrity (especially regarding Taiwan and the South China Sea), sovereignty, and non-interference in its internal affairs. While China's military is rapidly modernizing and expanding its reach, the official narrative surrounding 国防 remains staunchly “defensive” in nature. This reflects a core value of national unity and self-determination.

国防 (guófáng) is a formal and serious term. You will encounter it frequently in official contexts but rarely in casual, everyday conversation.

This is the most common context. News reports, government work reports, and political speeches constantly use 国防 when discussing military budgets, new technology (e.g., aircraft carriers, stealth fighters), international relations, and security policy. The 国防部 (Guófáng Bù), or Ministry of National Defense, is the key government body.

国防教育 (guófáng jiàoyù), or “national defense education,” is a standard part of the Chinese education system. It aims to instill patriotism, awareness of military affairs, and a sense of civic duty to protect the country. This can range from classroom lessons to mandatory military training for university freshmen.

• Example 1:
  • 中国的国防预算每年都在增加。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó de guófáng yùsuàn měinián dōu zài zēngjiā.
  • English: China's national defense budget is increasing every year.
  • Analysis: A very common and neutral sentence you would read in a news article discussing economics or geopolitics.
• Example 2:
  • 加强国防建设是我们的首要任务之一。
  • Pinyin: Jiāqiáng guófáng jiànshè shì wǒmen de shǒuyào rènwù zhīyī.
  • English: Strengthening national defense construction is one of our primary tasks.
  • Analysis: This is typical government or official language. `建设 (jiànshè)` here means “development” or “construction” in an abstract sense.
• Example 3:
  • 国防部发言人今天举行了记者招待会。
  • Pinyin: Guófáng Bù fāyánrén jīntiān jǔxíng le jìzhě zhāodàihuì.
  • English: The Ministry of National Defense spokesperson held a press conference today.
  • Analysis: This shows the term used as part of a proper noun, the 国防部 (Guófáng Bù).
• Example 4:
  • 他一生都奉献给了国家的国防事业。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīshēng dōu fèngxiàn gěi le guójiā de guófáng shìyè.
  • English: He dedicated his entire life to the cause of the nation's defense.
  • Analysis: `事业 (shìyè)` means “cause” or “undertaking.” This sentence has a very formal and respectful tone, suitable for describing a military hero or scientist.
• Example 5:
  • 中国奉行防御性的国防政策。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó fèngxíng fángyùxìng de guófáng zhèngcè.
  • English: China pursues a defensive national defense policy.
  • Analysis: This is a key official talking point. `奉行 (fèngxíng)` is a formal verb for “to pursue (a policy).” `防御性 (fángyùxìng)` means “defensive in nature.”
• Example 6:
  • 每个公民都有依法履行国防义务的责任。
  • Pinyin: Měi ge gōngmín dōu yǒu yīfǎ lǚxíng guófáng yìwù de zérèn.
  • English: Every citizen has the responsibility to fulfill their national defense obligations according to the law.
  • Analysis: This highlights the legal and civic duty associated with 国防. `义务 (yìwù)` means obligation or duty.
• Example 7:
  • 强大的国防是国家安全的坚强后盾。
  • Pinyin: Qiángdà de guófáng shì guójiā ānquán de jiānqiáng hòudùn.
  • English: A strong national defense is the firm backing for national security.
  • Analysis: `后盾 (hòudùn)` literally means “a shield behind one's back,” a great metaphor for “strong backing” or “support.”
• Example 8:
  • 我们必须加快国防和军队现代化。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū jiākuài guófáng hé jūnduì xiàndàihuà.
  • English: We must accelerate the modernization of national defense and the armed forces.
  • Analysis: This sentence clearly distinguishes between 国防 (the overall system/concept) and `军队 (jūnduì)` (the armed forces).
• Example 9:
  • 这部电影涉及了很多关于国防科技的内容。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng shèjí le hěn duō guānyú guófáng kējì de nèiróng.
  • English: This movie involves a lot of content about national defense science and technology.
  • Analysis: Shows how 国防 can be used as an attributive noun to modify other concepts like `科技 (kējì)`.
• Example 10:
  • 大学新生必须参加国防教育。
  • Pinyin: Dàxué xīnshēng bìxū cānjiā guófáng jiàoyù.
  • English: University freshmen must participate in national defense education.
  • Analysis: A practical example of how the concept directly affects people's lives in China.

• Formality is Key: Do not use 国防 in casual conversation. It's a formal, political, and strategic term. If you're talking about a friend in the army, you wouldn't use this word.
• Abstract Noun, Not a Place: A common mistake is to treat 国防 as a physical place or organization one can be “in.”
  • Incorrect: `*我弟弟在国防工作。` (*Wǒ dìdi zài guófáng gōngzuò.*)
  • Why it's wrong: This is like saying “My brother works in national defense.” While grammatically understandable in English, it's unnatural in Chinese.
  • Correct: `我弟弟在军队工作。` (Wǒ dìdi zài jūnduì gōngzuò. - My brother works in the military.) or more specifically `我弟弟在国防部工作。` (Wǒ dìdi zài Guófáng Bù gōngzuò. - My brother works at the Ministry of National Defense.)
• “National Defense” vs. “Military”: 国防 is not a direct synonym for “the military.”
  • 国防 (guófáng): The entire system and concept of defending a country. It includes the military, but also policy, industry, technology, mobilization, and education.
  • 军队 (jūnduì): The military, the armed forces. The actual soldiers and equipment.
  • Think of it this way: The `军队 (jūnduì)` is the primary tool used to carry out `国防 (guófáng)`.

• 军队 (jūnduì) - Army, military, armed forces. The main instrument of 国防.
• 军事 (jūnshì) - Military affairs. A common adjective used to describe things related to 国防 (e.g., `军事演习` - military exercise).
• 国防部 (guófáng bù) - Ministry of National Defense. The official government department responsible for 国防.
• 解放军 (jiěfàngjūn) - People's Liberation Army (PLA). The official name of the Chinese armed forces, the core of its 国防.
• 保卫 (bǎowèi) - To defend, safeguard. A verb often used in the context of 国防, such as `保卫国家` (bǎowèi guójiā) - to defend the country.
• 安全 (ānquán) - Safety, security. `国家安全` (guójiā ānquán), or “national security,” is a broader concept that encompasses 国防 as well as economic and political security.
• 主权 (zhǔquán) - Sovereignty. The core principle that 国防 is designed to protect.
• 国防教育 (guófáng jiàoyù) - National defense education. The system for teaching citizens about 国防.