mínzú fùxīng: 民族复兴 - National Rejuvenation, National Revival

• Keywords: minzu fuxing, 民族复兴, national rejuvenation, national revival, great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Chinese Dream, China's rise, Chinese nationalism, Xi Jinping thought.
• Summary: Understand “民族复兴” (mínzú fùxīng), one of the most important concepts in modern China. Meaning “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” this term is the central pillar of China's national ambition. It represents the goal of restoring China to a position of global leadership, cultural confidence, and economic strength, overcoming the “Century of Humiliation.” Learning about “mínzú fùxīng” is essential to understanding contemporary Chinese politics, society, and the overarching “Chinese Dream.”

• Pinyin (with tone marks): mínzú fùxīng
• Part of Speech: Noun Phrase
• HSK Level: N/A (Essential for cultural and political literacy beyond HSK)
• Concise Definition: The great rejuvenation or revival of the Chinese nation.
• In a Nutshell: “民族复兴” is a powerful and deeply felt political and social goal. It's not just about economic growth; it's about a complete restoration of national pride, power, and perceived historical glory. The core idea is that China was once a world leader, fell into a period of decline and foreign exploitation (the “Century of Humiliation”), and is now on an unstoppable path to reclaim its rightful place in the world. This concept shapes everything from government policy to popular media and individual aspirations.

• 民 (mín): Refers to “the people” or “populace.”
• 族 (zú): Means “tribe,” “clan,” or “ethnic group.”
• → 民族 (mínzú): Together, these characters form the word for “nation,” “nationality,” or “ethnic group.” In this context, it refers to the entire Chinese nation as a unified entity.
• 复 (fù): Means “to return,” “to restore,” or “to repeat.”
• 兴 (xīng): Means “to flourish,” “to prosper,” or “to rise.”
• → 复兴 (fùxīng): Together, these characters mean “to revive” or “to rejuvenate.”

The combined meaning, “民族复兴,” literally translates to the “nation's rejuvenation,” a powerful image of a great nation rising once again to a state of prosperity and strength.

The soul of “民族复兴” lies in its historical context. For over a century, from the mid-19th to mid-20th century, China suffered a series of military defeats, unequal treaties, and foreign invasions, a period known as the 百年国耻 (bǎinián guóchǐ) - the Century of Humiliation. This collective historical trauma is the direct emotional and political backdrop for “民族复兴.” The goal is not just to be a modern country, but to erase this painful memory by becoming so strong—militarily, economically, and culturally—that such humiliation can never happen again. A Western comparison might be “Manifest Destiny,” but the two concepts have crucial differences. “Manifest Destiny” was a 19th-century American belief in a divinely ordained, future-oriented mission to expand across the continent. It was about creating something new. In contrast, “民族复兴” is fundamentally restorative. It looks back to a perceived golden age of Chinese centrality and preeminence and aims to re-achieve that status. It is fueled by a narrative of overcoming victimhood, whereas Manifest Destiny was fueled by a sense of providential superiority. Today, “民族复兴” is the ultimate goal of the “中国梦 (Zhōngguó Mèng) - Chinese Dream,” a term popularized by Xi Jinping.

“民族复兴” is a highly formal and politically charged term. You will almost never hear it in casual, everyday conversation.

• Political Discourse: This is its primary home. It is a cornerstone of speeches by national leaders, government work reports, and official policy documents. It serves as the ultimate justification for state-led initiatives, from economic plans to military modernization.
• State Media and Propaganda: Newspapers like the People's Daily, TV networks like CCTV, and news agencies like Xinhua use this term constantly to frame news stories and build a sense of national purpose and unity.
• Education: The concept is deeply embedded in history and civics education, teaching students that their generation has a historic mission to contribute to this national goal.
• Informal Usage (Rare): If used in a casual setting, it might be for satirical purposes or in a very earnest, patriotic discussion among friends. For a learner, it's safest to recognize this term rather than attempt to use it in conversation. Its connotation is overwhelmingly positive and patriotic within mainstream Chinese discourse.

• Example 1:
  • 实现中华民族复兴是近代以来中华民族最伟大的梦想。
  • Pinyin: Shíxiàn Zhōnghuá mínzú fùxīng shì jìndài yǐlái Zhōnghuá mínzú zuì wěidà de mèngxiǎng.
  • English: Realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has been the greatest dream of the Chinese people since modern times.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, official-sounding sentence, linking “民族复兴” directly to the “Chinese Dream” (梦想).
• Example 2:
  • 我们这一代人肩负着实现民族复兴的历史使命。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhè yī dài rén jiānfùzhe shíxiàn mínzú fùxīng de lìshǐ shǐmìng.
  • English: Our generation shoulders the historical mission of achieving national rejuvenation.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the sense of duty and historical responsibility associated with the term.
• Example 3:
  • 科技创新是推动民族复兴的关键力量。
  • Pinyin: Kējì chuàngxīn shì tuīdòng mínzú fùxīng de guānjiàn lìliàng.
  • English: Technological innovation is a key force in advancing national rejuvenation.
  • Analysis: This shows how the abstract goal is connected to concrete policy areas like technology.
• Example 4:
  • 强大的国防是民族复兴的重要保障。
  • Pinyin: Qiángdà de guófáng shì mínzú fùxīng de zhòngyào bǎozhàng.
  • English: A strong national defense is an important guarantee for national rejuvenation.
  • Analysis: This example links the concept to military strength, a core component of the goal.
• Example 5:
  • 每一位中华儿女都应该为民族复兴贡献自己的力量。
  • Pinyin: Měi yī wèi Zhōnghuá érnǚ dōu yīnggāi wèi mínzú fùxīng gòngxiàn zìjǐ de lìliàng.
  • English: Every son and daughter of China should contribute their strength to the rejuvenation of the nation.
  • Analysis: A common patriotic call to action, emphasizing collective effort.
• Example 6:
  • 历史老师告诉我们，理解民族复兴的意义首先要了解百年国耻。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ lǎoshī gàosù wǒmen, lǐjiě mínzú fùxīng de yìyì shǒuxiān yào liǎojiě bǎinián guóchǐ.
  • English: The history teacher told us that to understand the meaning of national rejuvenation, you must first understand the Century of Humiliation.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly provides the crucial context for learners.
• Example 7:
  • 中国的快速发展让世界看到了民族复兴的希望。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó de kuàisù fāzhǎn ràng shìjiè kàn dào le mínzú fùxīng de xīwàng.
  • English: China's rapid development has allowed the world to see the hope of its national rejuvenation.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects the concept to China's observable economic growth.
• Example 8:
  • 青年是实现民族复兴的先锋力量。
  • Pinyin: Qīngnián shì shíxiàn mínzú fùxīng de xiānfēng lìliàng.
  • English: The youth are the vanguard force for achieving national rejuvenation.
  • Analysis: Highlights the special role assigned to the younger generation in this national project.
• Example 9:
  • 文化自信是民族复兴更基本、更深沉、更持久的力量。
  • Pinyin: Wénhuà zìxìn shì mínzú fùxīng gèng jīběn, gèng shēnchén, gèng chíjiǔ de lìliàng.
  • English: Cultural confidence is a more fundamental, deeper, and more enduring force for national rejuvenation.
  • Analysis: This quote (from Xi Jinping) shows that the concept is not just material, but also deeply cultural and ideological.
• Example 10:
  • 他在演讲中多次提到民族复兴，强调了团结的重要性。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài yǎnjiǎng zhōng duōcì tídào mínzú fùxīng, qiángdiào le tuánjié de zhòngyàoxìng.
  • English: In his speech, he repeatedly mentioned national rejuvenation and emphasized the importance of unity.
  • Analysis: A simple sentence demonstrating how one would describe the use of the term in a formal context.

• “National Rejuvenation” vs. “Nationalism”: Don't confuse 民族复兴 (mínzú fùxīng) with 民族主义 (mínzú zhǔyì) - nationalism. While they are related, “nationalism” is a broader ideology or sentiment. “National rejuvenation” is a specific, state-directed project or goal born out of that sentiment. It's the “what” and “why,” while nationalism is the “feeling.”
• Not just a “Renaissance”: The word 复兴 (fùxīng) can be used for “renaissance” (e.g., 文艺复兴 wényì fùxīng - The Renaissance). However, translating “民族复兴” as “National Renaissance” is misleading. The European Renaissance was primarily a cultural, artistic, and scientific rebirth. “民族复兴” is explicitly political and encompasses total national power—economic, military, and technological, with culture being one component of that power.
• Incorrect Usage: A common mistake would be to use it in a lighthearted, everyday situation. For example, saying “我通过了考试，这是我个人的民族复兴！” (“I passed the test, this is my personal national rejuvenation!”) would be grammatically correct but sound bizarre and sarcastic. The term is reserved for the grand, national scale.

• 中国梦 (Zhōngguó Mèng): The Chinese Dream. This is the contemporary, popularized slogan for the path toward achieving `民族复兴`.
• 百年国耻 (bǎinián guóchǐ): The Century of Humiliation. The historical period of foreign subjugation that `民族复兴` is meant to correct and avenge.
• 强国 (qiángguó): A powerful nation. This is the desired end-state of the `民族复兴` process.
• 小康社会 (xiǎokāng shèhuì): A moderately prosperous society. A key socioeconomic milestone that the CCP declared achieved in 2021 on the path to full `民族复兴`.
• 爱国主义 (àiguó zhǔyì): Patriotism. The underlying patriotic feeling that fuels public support for the goal of `民族复兴`.
• 富国强兵 (fùguó qiángbīng): “Enrich the country, strengthen the military.” A classical phrase that captures the core components of `民族复兴`.
• 人类命运共同体 (rénlèi mìngyùn gòngtóngtǐ): Community with a Shared Future for Mankind. China's proposed vision for a new international order after it has achieved its rejuvenation.