xiǎokāng shèhuì: 小康社会 - Moderately Prosperous Society, Well-off Society

• Keywords: xiaokang shehui, 小康社会, moderately prosperous society, well-off society, Chinese Dream, China's economic goals, Deng Xiaoping, CCP policy, Chinese society, what is xiaokang, common prosperity.
• Summary: “小康社会 (xiǎokāng shèhuì)” is a foundational concept in modern China, referring to a “moderately prosperous society” where the majority of citizens enjoy a comfortable, stable, middle-class standard of living. Repurposed from ancient Confucian philosophy by Deng Xiaoping, it became a key national goal for the Chinese Communist Party, signifying the elimination of absolute poverty and the achievement of a decent quality of life for all. Understanding “xiaokang” is essential to grasping China's socio-economic development and the vision of the “Chinese Dream.”

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xiǎokāng shèhuì
• Part of Speech: Noun Phrase
• HSK Level: N/A (High-frequency term in news and politics)
• Concise Definition: A society that is “moderately prosperous” or “comfortably well-off,” where the basic material needs of its people are met.
• In a Nutshell: Forget about billionaires and lavish luxury. “小康社会” describes the sweet spot of societal well-being. It’s a collective national goal to create a society where people don't have to worry about food, shelter, or basic education. Think of it as China's vision for a comprehensive, stable middle-class life for its citizens. It's not about individual riches, but about raising the entire country to a level of comfort, security, and dignity.

• 小 (xiǎo): Small, minor, slightly.
• 康 (kāng): Healthy, peaceful, abundant.
• 社 (shè): Society, group, agency. Originally referring to a god of the earth or a village community.
• 会 (huì): To meet, gathering, society, association.

The characters combine to form two words: 小康 (xiǎokāng) and 社会 (shèhuì).

• 小康 (xiǎokāng) literally means “small abundance” or “minor peace.” The “small” here implies “moderate” or “comfortable,” not “insignificant.” It's a state of being well-off but not extravagantly wealthy.
• 社会 (shèhuì) is the modern Chinese word for “society.”

Together, 小康社会 (xiǎokāng shèhuì) is a “society of moderate prosperity”—a nation that has achieved a widespread, comfortable standard of living.

The term `小康` has a history stretching back over two millennia. It first appeared in the Confucian *Book of Rites* (《礼记》), where it described a realistic, orderly society—a step toward the ultimate utopian ideal of 大同 (dàtóng), or the “Great Harmony.” In the late 1970s, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping brilliantly revived this ancient term to frame China's modern economic goals. By using a concept deeply embedded in Chinese culture, he created a vision that was both ambitious and relatable for the nation. Comparison with “The American Dream”:

• The American Dream is typically an individualistic concept. It emphasizes personal freedom, upward mobility, and the potential for unlimited wealth (“from rags to riches”). The responsibility lies with the individual.
• 小康社会 is a collectivist concept. It is a state-led, national goal focused on raising the standard of living for everyone. It prioritizes societal stability, the elimination of poverty, and a shared, moderate level of prosperity over individual enrichment. It's less about climbing a ladder to the very top and more about building a solid, comfortable, and wide foundation for the entire house. This reflects the value placed on the collective good and the government's role in ensuring the people's livelihood (民生, mínshēng).

• Official Government Policy: This term is ubiquitous in government documents, official speeches, and state media. The major goal “全面建成小康社会” (quánmiàn jiànchéng xiǎokāng shèhuì), or “to comprehensively build a moderately prosperous society,” was declared achieved by the CCP in 2021, coinciding with its 100th anniversary. It serves as a benchmark for national progress.
• Personal Aspirations: In everyday conversation, people use `小康` to describe a desirable lifestyle. It's a common personal or family goal. Achieving a `小康生活 (xiǎokāng shēnghuó)`—a “xiaokang life”—often implies having a stable job, owning an apartment and a car, being able to afford good healthcare and education for children, and having the means to travel for leisure.
• Connotation: The term carries a strong positive and hopeful connotation. It represents progress, stability, comfort, and national achievement.

• Example 1:
  • 中国宣布已全面建成小康社会。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó xuānbù yǐ quánmiàn jiànchéng xiǎokāng shèhuì.
  • English: China announced that it has comprehensively built a moderately prosperous society.
  • Analysis: This is a typical official statement you would see in the news, using the full, formal phrase.
• Example 2:
  • 我们家现在的生活水平已经达到小康了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen jiā xiànzài de shēnghuó shuǐpíng yǐjīng dádào xiǎokāng le.
  • English: Our family's standard of living has now reached a “xiaokang” (well-off) level.
  • Analysis: Here, `小康` is used colloquially to describe a family's economic status. The `社会` part is often dropped in informal contexts.
• Example 3:
  • 我不求大富大贵，只想过上小康的日子就心满意足了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bù qiú dà fù dà guì, zhǐ xiǎng guò shàng xiǎokāng de rìzi jiù xīn mǎn yì zú le.
  • English: I'm not seeking great wealth and fortune; I'd be content just to live a comfortably well-off life.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the nuance of `小康`—it's explicitly contrasted with being rich (`大富大贵`), highlighting its “moderate” nature.
• Example 4:
  • 对他来说，有车有房的生活就是小康。
  • Pinyin: Duì tā lái shuō, yǒu chē yǒu fáng de shēnghuó jiùshì xiǎokāng.
  • English: For him, a life with a car and a house is “xiaokang.”
  • Analysis: This shows the tangible markers often associated with the `小康` standard in modern urban China.
• Example 5:
  • 邓小平在80年代提出了建设小康社会的伟大构想。
  • Pinyin: Dèng Xiǎopíng zài bāshí niándài tíchūle jiànshè xiǎokāng shèhuì de wěidà gòuxiǎng.
  • English: Deng Xiaoping put forward the great vision of building a moderately prosperous society in the 1980s.
  • Analysis: This sentence places the term in its modern historical context, crediting Deng Xiaoping for its re-introduction.
• Example 6:
  • 实现小康是实现中国梦的关键一步。
  • Pinyin: Shíxiàn xiǎokāng shì shíxiàn Zhōngguó Mèng de guānjiàn yībù.
  • English: Achieving a “xiaokang” society is a critical step toward realizing the Chinese Dream.
  • Analysis: This links `小康社会` to another major political concept, the “Chinese Dream,” showing its foundational role.
• Example 7:
  • 很多农村地区也正在向小康生活迈进。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō nóngcūn dìqū yě zhèngzài xiàng xiǎokāng shēnghuó màijìn.
  • English: Many rural areas are also advancing toward a “xiaokang” life.
  • Analysis: This highlights that `小康` is a goal for all of China, including rural areas, as part of the push for poverty alleviation and balanced development.
• Example 8:
  • 衡量小康的标准不仅仅是收入，还包括教育、医疗和环境。
  • Pinyin: Héngliáng xiǎokāng de biāozhǔn bù jǐnjǐn shì shōurù, hái bāokuò jiàoyù, yīliáo hé huánjìng.
  • English: The measure of “xiaokang” is not just income, but also includes education, healthcare, and the environment.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the concept. It's about overall quality of life, not just money.
• Example 9:
  • 他们家挺小康的，孩子都上国际学校了。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen jiā tǐng xiǎokāng de, háizi dōu shàng guójì xuéxiào le.
  • English: Their family is quite well-off; their kids even go to an international school.
  • Analysis: An example of `小康` being used as a quasi-adjective. `挺 (tǐng)…的` means “quite…”. This is a very natural, conversational usage.
• Example 10:
  • 从温饱到小康，是中国四十年来巨大的飞跃。
  • Pinyin: Cóng wēnbǎo dào xiǎokāng, shì Zhōngguó sìshí nián lái jùdà de fēiyuè.
  • English: From subsistence (wēnbǎo) to moderate prosperity (xiǎokāng), this is China's great leap over the past forty years.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts `小康` with `温饱 (wēnbǎo)`, the stage of just having enough food and clothing, showing the progression of China's development.

• Mistake 1: Confusing `小康` with “Rich”.

The most common mistake is to think `小康` means “rich.” It doesn't. It means “comfortably well-off” or “middle-class.”

• Incorrect: 他很有钱，过着小康生活。(He is very rich, living a xiaokang life.) This is contradictory. If he's very rich, he's past the `小康` stage. * Correct: 他不追求暴富，只想过上安稳的小康生活。(He doesn't chase sudden wealth, he just wants to live a stable, comfortable life.) * Mistake 2: Applying a societal concept to an individual. `小康社会` refers to a society. You cannot say a person is a `小康社会`. * Incorrect: 他是一个小康社会。(He is a moderately prosperous society.) * Correct: 他来自一个小康家庭。(Tā láizì yīgè xiǎokāng jiātíng.) - He comes from a well-off family. * Correct: 他的生活很小康。(Tā de shēnghuó hěn xiǎokāng.) - His life is very comfortable. * False Friend: “Well-off” While “well-off” is a good starting translation, in English it can sometimes suggest being in the upper-middle class. `小康` is broader and more foundational. It's about the absence of economic precarity and the ability to enjoy modern comforts. It's the new baseline, not a luxury status. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * 温饱 (wēnbǎo) - “Warm and full.” The state of basic subsistence, having just enough food and clothing. This is the stage *before* `小康`. * 脱贫 (tuōpín) - To escape poverty. The process of moving from below `温饱` to at least `温饱`, which is the prerequisite for achieving `小康`. * 中国梦 (zhōngguó mèng) - The Chinese Dream. A broader vision of national rejuvenation, of which creating a `小康社会` is a cornerstone. * 共同富裕 (gòngtóng fùyù) - Common prosperity. The ideological goal that comes *after* `小康`, focused on reducing the wealth gap and ensuring prosperity is more evenly shared. * 中产阶级 (zhōngchǎn jiējí) - Middle class. The social stratum that most embodies the `小康` lifestyle. The expansion of this class is a key indicator of a `小康社会`. * 大同 (dàtóng) - The Great Harmony. The ancient Confucian utopian ideal of a perfect, harmonious society. `小康` is considered a realistic, achievable step towards this ideal. * 改革开放 (gǎigé kāifàng) - Reform and Opening-Up. The set of policies initiated by Deng Xiaoping that unleashed China's economic growth and made the pursuit of `小康社会` a reality. * 民生 (mínshēng) - The people's livelihood. A broad term for the well-being of the populace (jobs, housing, healthcare). Improving `民生` to the `小康` level is a primary government objective.