yìng shílì: 硬实力 - Hard Power [The Contextual Chinese Dictionary]

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====== yìng shílì: 硬实力 - Hard Power ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** ying shili, 硬实力, hard power, Chinese hard power, soft power vs hard power, military power, economic strength, international relations China, national strength, geopolitics
  * **Summary:** Learn about the Chinese term **硬实力 (yìng shílì)**, the direct equivalent of "hard power" in English. This page explores how the concept, referring to a nation's measurable military and economic strength, is crucial for understanding modern China's foreign policy and its global rise. Discover its contrast with 软实力 (ruǎn shílì) or "soft power," and see how it's used in real-world discussions about international relations.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yìng shílì
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** N/A (Advanced / HSK 6+)
  * **Concise Definition:** Hard power; a nation's strength based on tangible military and economic might.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **硬实力 (yìng shílì)** is the "muscle" of a country. It refers to the concrete, quantifiable assets a nation can use to influence other countries, such as its army, navy, air force, GDP, technological infrastructure, and natural resources. It's the kind of power that can be used to coerce, deter, or reward other nations through tangible actions.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **硬 (yìng):** Hard, strong, firm, unyielding. Imagine a hard rock or steel.
  * **实 (shí):** Real, solid, true, actual. It refers to something with substance, something concrete.
  * **力 (lì):** Power, strength, force. The character itself is a pictogram of a plow, representing physical strength and effort.
When combined, **硬实力 (yìng shílì)** literally translates to "Hard-Solid-Power," painting a clear picture of tangible, measurable, and unyielding strength.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
The concept of "hard power" was originally coined by American political scientist Joseph Nye, and **硬实力 (yìng shílì)** is a direct loan translation. While the idea isn't originally Chinese, its discussion is central to understanding China's modern strategic thinking.
For much of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, China's national policy focused intensely on building its **硬实力**. This meant prioritizing economic growth (GDP) and modernizing its military. The spectacular results of this focus are evident today.
The key cultural dynamic in China now involves the relationship between **硬实力** and its counterpart, [[软实力]] (ruǎn shílì), or "soft power" (cultural appeal, diplomacy, political values). There is a widespread national discussion that while China's **硬实力** is now world-class, its [[软实力]] lags behind. Therefore, a major goal for the Chinese government is to cultivate its cultural and diplomatic influence to match its economic and military might, achieving a balance known as [[综合国力]] (zōnghé guólì) or "Comprehensive National Power."
This contrasts with Western discourse, where "hard power" is often discussed as one of several tools. In China, the explicit goal of building **硬实力** first, then catching up with [[软实力]], has been a more overt and sequential national strategy.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**硬实力** is a formal and analytical term. You are highly unlikely to hear it in casual daily conversation, like when chatting about groceries or hobbies.
  * **Formal Contexts:** It is primarily used in news reports (like from Xinhua or CCTV), academic articles, political commentary, and discussions on international relations and geopolitics. It's the standard term used by officials, scholars, and journalists when analyzing national capabilities.
  * **Connotation:** The term is neutral and descriptive. It is simply a measure of a country's tangible assets. It is not inherently positive or negative, though the *use* of that hard power can be viewed as aggressive or defensive depending on the situation.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 经济发展是国家**硬实力**的基础。
    * Pinyin: Jīngjì fāzhǎn shì guójiā **yìng shílì** de jīchǔ.
    * English: Economic development is the foundation of a nation's hard power.
    * Analysis: This sentence states a core tenet of modern Chinese political thought: a strong economy underpins all other forms of national strength.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 一个国家不能只依靠**硬实力**来获得国际尊重。
    * Pinyin: Yī ge guójiā bù néng zhǐ yīkào **yìng shílì** lái huòdé guójì zūnzhòng.
    * English: A country cannot rely solely on hard power to gain international respect.
    * Analysis: This highlights the recognized limitations of hard power and the need for soft power ([[软实力]]).
  * **Example 3:**
    * 这次阅兵展示了该国强大的军事**硬实力**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè cì yuèbīng zhǎnshì le gāi guó qiángdà de jūnshì **yìng shílì**.
    * English: This military parade demonstrated the country's formidable military hard power.
    * Analysis: Here, **硬实力** is directly linked to its military component. The adjective 军事 (jūnshì, military) specifies the type of hard power.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 在全球舞台上，**硬实力**和软实力同等重要。
    * Pinyin: Zài quánqiú wǔtái shàng, **yìng shílì** hé ruǎn shílì tóngděng zhòngyào.
    * English: On the global stage, hard power and soft power are equally important.
    * Analysis: A common sentence structure used to compare the two core concepts of national power.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 科技创新是未来**硬实力**竞争的关键。
    * Pinyin: Kējì chuàngxīn shì wèilái **yìng shílì** jìngzhēng de guānjiàn.
    * English: Technological innovation is the key to future hard power competition.
    * Analysis: This shows that the concept of **硬实力** isn't just about traditional military hardware; it includes modern elements like technology.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 他的分析总是过分强调**硬实力**的作用。
    * Pinyin: Tā de fēnxī zǒngshì guòfèn qiángdiào **yìng shílì** de zuòyòng.
    * English: His analysis always overemphasizes the role of hard power.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates how the term can be used in a critique of a particular viewpoint or strategy.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 虽然他们的**硬实力**很强，但他们的文化影响力有限。
    * Pinyin: Suīrán tāmen de **yìng shílì** hěn qiáng, dànshì tāmen de wénhuà yǐngxiǎnglì yǒuxiàn.
    * English: Although their hard power is strong, their cultural influence is limited.
    * Analysis: A classic sentence that encapsulates the current strategic discussion within China about its national strengths and weaknesses.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 投资基础设施建设是提升国家**硬实力**的一种方式。
    * Pinyin: Tóuzī jīchǔ shèshī jiànshè shì tíshēng guójiā **yìng shílì** de yī zhǒng fāngshì.
    * English: Investing in infrastructure construction is one way to enhance a nation's hard power.
    * Analysis: This broadens the definition of **硬实力** to include economic infrastructure like ports, railways, and communication networks.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 国际关系理论家经常辩论**硬实力**的有效性。
    * Pinyin: Guójì guānxì lǐlùnjiā jīngcháng biànlùn **yìng shílì** de yǒuxiàoxìng.
    * English: International relations theorists often debate the effectiveness of hard power.
    * Analysis: Places the term firmly in its academic and theoretical context.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 没有强大的**硬实力**作为后盾，外交谈判往往会很困难。
    * Pinyin: Méiyǒu qiángdà de **yìng shílì** zuòwéi hòudùn, wàijiāo tánpàn wǎngwǎng huì hěn kùnnán.
    * English: Without strong hard power as backing, diplomatic negotiations are often difficult.
    * Analysis: This sentence explains the practical relationship between hard power and diplomacy, where the former supports the latter.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Don't use it for people:** A common mistake for learners is to apply **硬实力** to an individual. You would never say a strong person has **硬实力**. This term is reserved for geopolitics and applies to nations, and sometimes to large multinational corporations. For a person, you would use [[力气]] (lìqi) for physical strength or [[能力]] (nénglì) for ability/capability.
    * **Incorrect:** 这个拳击手有很强的硬实力。 (This boxer has strong hard power.)
    * **Correct:** 这个拳击手的力气很大。 (This boxer is very strong.)
  * **Not inherently negative:** While it includes military force, **硬实力** is not a "bad" word. A strong, stable economy is the primary component of modern **硬实力**, which is seen as a positive foundation for national well-being. The term itself is analytical, not judgmental.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[软实力]] (ruǎn shílì):** The direct antonym, meaning "soft power." It refers to a nation's ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion, using its culture, political values, and foreign policies.
  * **[[综合国力]] (zōnghé guólì):** Comprehensive National Power. The overarching concept that includes **硬实力**, [[软实力]], and other factors like education and social stability.
  * **[[经济实力]] (jīngjì shílì):** Economic Strength/Power. A major component and often considered the foundation of **硬实力**.
  * **[[军事实力]] (jūnshì shílì):** Military Strength/Power. The most traditional and obvious component of **硬实力**.
  * **[[国力]] (guólì):** National Power. A more general and slightly less formal term for a country's overall strength.
  * **[[影响力]] (yǐngxiǎnglì):** Influence. This is the desired outcome of wielding both hard and soft power.
  * **[[霸权]] (bàquán):** Hegemony. The dominance of one state over others, often achieved and maintained through overwhelming **硬实力**.
  * **[[和平崛起]] (hépíng juéqǐ):** Peaceful Rise. A political slogan describing China's aim to increase its **硬实力** without threatening other nations, contrasting with the historical rise of other world powers.