gémìng: 革命 - Revolution, Uprising

• Keywords: gémìng, 革命, Chinese revolution, what does geming mean, Chinese word for revolution, Mandate of Heaven, Cultural Revolution, Xinhai Revolution, Sun Yat-sen, Mao Zedong, Chinese politics
• Summary: The Chinese word 革命 (gémìng) translates to “revolution,” but it carries a profound historical and political weight far beyond its English counterpart. Rooted in the ancient concept of the “Mandate of Heaven,” `gémìng` signifies a fundamental, often violent, overthrow of a ruling power that has lost its legitimacy. This page explores the deep meaning of `gémìng`, from its character origins (“removing the mandate”) to its pivotal role in events like the Xinhai Revolution and its modern usage in Chinese political discourse.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gé mìng
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A fundamental and often violent overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system.
• In a Nutshell: In English, we might call a new smartphone “revolutionary,” but in Chinese, 革命 (gémìng) is a much heavier term. It means a complete, bottom-up toppling of a system, like a dynasty or a government. The word itself literally means “to remove the mandate (to rule),” and it's deeply tied to massive, society-altering events in Chinese history. Think less “new feature” and more “new flag, new government.”

• 革 (gé): This character's original meaning is “animal hide” or “leather.” By extension, it came to mean “to strip,” “to remove,” or “to change/reform,” as in shedding an old skin. It implies a fundamental and forceful change.
• 命 (mìng): This character means “life,” “fate,” or a “command.” In this specific context, it refers to 天命 (Tiānmìng), the “Mandate of Heaven”—the divine right granted to an emperor or dynasty to rule.

When combined, 革命 (gémìng) literally means “to revoke the mandate.” This brilliantly captures the traditional Chinese concept of revolution: it's not just a rebellion, but a justified act of removing a ruler who has lost the divine right to govern, often due to corruption or incompetence.

In Chinese culture, 革命 (gémìng) is not merely a political term; it's a concept deeply embedded in historical philosophy. For millennia, the legitimacy of a ruler was based on the 天命 (Tiānmìng), or Mandate of Heaven. A dynasty thrived as long as it ruled justly and maintained harmony. When a government became corrupt and disasters struck, it was seen as a sign that the ruler had lost this mandate. A 革命 (gémìng) was therefore the mechanism by which the mandate was transferred to a new, more worthy ruler. This contrasts with the Western concept of “revolution” (e.g., the American or French Revolutions), which is often framed around ideals of individual liberty, human rights, and a definitive break from monarchy toward democracy. The Chinese `革命` is traditionally more cyclical, focused on restoring order, justice, and good governance for the collective. The goal is to replace a bad government with a good one, thereby restoring harmony under heaven. In the 20th century, the term was adopted by modern political movements. Both Sun Yat-sen's Nationalist revolution (辛亥革命, Xīnhài Gémìng) and Mao Zedong's Communist revolution were framed as necessary `革命` to save China from foreign humiliation and internal decay. Today, the term is inextricably linked with the legitimacy of the Communist Party of China, which defines its 1949 victory as the ultimate and successful revolution that established the People's Republic.

Due to its heavy political and historical connotations, `革命` is used in specific and powerful ways.

• Historical and Political Discourse (Formal): This is its most common usage. It almost always refers to a major political overthrow. Examples include the 辛亥革命 (Xīnhài Gémìng) of 1911, the 文化大革命 (Wénhuà Dàgémìng) or Cultural Revolution, and the Communist Party's rise to power. In this context, it's a very formal and serious term.
• Metaphorical Revolutions (Neutral): While less common than in English, `革命` can be used metaphorically for non-political transformations, such as a 技术革命 (jìshù gémìng) (technological revolution) or an 工业革命 (gōngyè gémìng) (industrial revolution). Even here, it implies a massive, foundational shift, not just a simple innovation.
• Connotation: The word's connotation depends heavily on the context. Referring to the 1911 or 1949 revolutions is generally positive in mainland China. Referring to the Cultural Revolution is extremely complex and often negative. A term like 反革命 (fǎn gémìng) (counter-revolutionary) is a severe political accusation.

• Example 1:
  • 辛亥革命结束了中国两千多年的封建帝制。
  • Pinyin: Xīnhài gémìng jiéshùle Zhōngguó liǎng qiān duō nián de fēngjiàn dìzhì.
  • English: The Xinhai Revolution ended more than two thousand years of feudal monarchy in China.
  • Analysis: This is a standard, formal use of `革命` to refer to a specific, major historical event.
• Example 2:
  • 他爷爷是位老革命，参加过长征。
  • Pinyin: Tā yéye shì wèi lǎo gémìng, cānjiāguò Chángzhēng.
  • English: His grandfather is an old revolutionary who participated in the Long March.
  • Analysis: Here, `革命` is used as a noun to describe a person who took part in the Communist revolution. “老革命” (lǎo gémìng) is a term of respect.
• Example 3:
  • 革命尚未成功，同志仍须努力。
  • Pinyin: Gémìng shàngwèi chénggōng, tóngzhì réngxū nǔlì.
  • English: The revolution is not yet successful; comrades must still work hard.
  • Analysis: This is a very famous quote from Sun Yat-sen, the “Father of Modern China.” It's often used to encourage continued effort towards a major goal.
• Example 4:
  • 人工智能正在引发一场技术革命。
  • Pinyin: Réngōng zhìnéng zhèngzài yǐnfā yī chǎng jìshù gémìng.
  • English: Artificial intelligence is sparking a technological revolution.
  • Analysis: This shows the metaphorical use of `革命`. It highlights that the change brought by AI is fundamental and transformative, not just incremental.
• Example 5:
  • 要想进步，你就必须先革自己的命。
  • Pinyin: Yào xiǎng jìnbù, nǐ jiù bìxū xiān gé zìjǐ de mìng.
  • English: If you want to make progress, you must first revolutionize yourself.
  • Analysis: A powerful, figurative use where `革命` is split and used as a verb-object phrase (“to revolt against one's own fate/life”). It implies making a radical personal change.
• Example 6:
  • “文化大革命”是一段非常复杂的历史时期。
  • Pinyin: “Wénhuà Dàgémìng” shì yī duàn fēicháng fùzá de lìshǐ shíqī.
  • English: The “Cultural Revolution” was a very complex historical period.
  • Analysis: A specific historical name. The term itself is neutral, but the event it describes is one of the most controversial in modern Chinese history.
• Example 7:
  • 工业革命彻底改变了人类的生产方式。
  • Pinyin: Gōngyè gémìng chèdǐ gǎibiànle rénlèi de shēngchǎn fāngshì.
  • English: The Industrial Revolution completely changed humanity's way of production.
  • Analysis: Another example of a specific, named historical revolution that is non-political in nature.
• Example 8:
  • 在那个年代，他被错误地打成了“反革命”。
  • Pinyin: Zài nàge niándài, tā bèi cuòwù de dǎ chéngle “fǎn gémìng”.
  • English: In that era, he was wrongly branded a “counter-revolutionary.”
  • Analysis: Shows the politically charged antonym, `反革命 (fǎn gémìng)`. This was a very serious accusation with severe consequences, especially during the 20th century.
• Example 9:
  • 这位古巴革命家是全世界年轻人的偶像。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi Gǔbā gémìngjiā shì quán shìjiè niánqīng rén de ǒuxiàng.
  • English: This Cuban revolutionary is an icon for young people all over the world.
  • Analysis: Shows the related term `革命家 (gémìngjiā)`, meaning “a revolutionary” (the person who carries out a revolution).
• Example 10:
  • 公司的这次重组，简直就是一场管理上的革命。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de zhè cì chóngzǔ, jiǎnzhí jiùshì yī chǎng guǎnlǐ shàng de gémìng.
  • English: The company's restructuring this time is practically a revolution in management.
  • Analysis: A hyperbolic, more modern usage. While still strong, it's used to emphasize the scale and impact of a change within a smaller context like a business.

• Mistake: Overusing it for minor changes. An English speaker might call a new app “revolutionary.” If you say a new app is a `革命`, it would sound absurdly dramatic to a native Chinese speaker. For innovations, it's much more natural to use words like 创新 (chuàngxīn) - innovation, or 突破 (tūpò) - breakthrough. Reserve `革命` for massive, system-level changes.
  • Incorrect: 这个新手机真是一场革命！(This new phone is truly a revolution!)
  • Correct: 这个新手机很有创新性。(This new phone is very innovative.)
• False Friend: “Revolution” vs. `革命`. While they are direct translations, their connotations differ. The English “revolution” is often associated with the pursuit of individual freedom and liberty. The Chinese `革命` is historically linked to the collective good, restoring order, and the transfer of the Mandate of Heaven. In modern China, it is almost inseparable from the ideology and history of the Communist Party. Using it casually ignores this immense political and cultural baggage.

• 改革 (gǎigé) - Reform. The opposite of `革命`. It means to improve a system from within, not to overthrow it. (e.g., `改革开放` - Reform and Opening Up).
• 起义 (qǐyì) - Uprising, insurrection. A more specific term for an armed revolt, which may or may not lead to a full `革命`.
• 造反 (zàofǎn) - To rebel, to revolt. Carries a more chaotic and often negative connotation of simply rising against authority, without the grand ideological purpose of a `革命`.
• 变革 (biàngé) - Transformation. A neutral term for a profound change in society, technology, or culture, but without the inherent political violence implied by `革命`.
• 天命 (tiānmìng) - Mandate of Heaven. The ancient philosophical foundation that justifies a `革命`.
• 解放 (jiěfàng) - Liberation. A term closely associated with the Communist `革命`, as in the “liberation” of China in 1949.
• 反革命 (fǎn gémìng) - Counter-revolutionary. A politically severe term for an enemy of the state's official revolution.
• 革命家 (gémìngjiā) - A revolutionary. A person who participates in or leads a revolution.