====== qiángguó: 强国 - Powerful Nation, Strong Country, Superpower ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** qiangguo, 强国, powerful nation, strong country, superpower, China's rise, national strength, Chinese dream, define qiangguo, what does qiangguo mean
  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **强国 (qiángguó)**, a vital modern Chinese term for "powerful nation" or "superpower." This word encapsulates China's national ambition to become a leading global force, not just economically, but also militarily, technologically, and culturally. Understanding **强国 (qiángguó)** is essential for grasping contemporary Chinese politics, media narratives, and the concept of the "Chinese Dream." This page provides a deep dive into its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage with clear examples.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** qiángguó
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** N/A (Equivalent to HSK 5+ vocabulary)
  * **Concise Definition:** A powerful and influential nation; a superpower.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **强国 (qiángguó)** is more than just a "strong country"; it's a term loaded with national aspiration and pride. Think of it as the ultimate goal in a country's development—achieving a state of comprehensive national strength that commands international respect and influence. It is the destination of the "Chinese Dream" (中国梦, Zhōngguó Mèng) and a constant theme in modern Chinese society.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **强 (qiáng):** Strong, powerful, mighty. The character contains the component for a bow (弓, gōng), evoking the image of drawing a strong bow, a classic symbol of strength.
  * **国 (guó):** Country, nation, state. The modern character shows a boundary (囗) with a piece of jade (玉, yù) inside. Jade symbolizes value and authority, so the character represents a precious territory under a single rule—a nation.
  * Together, **强 (qiáng)** and **国 (guó)** literally mean "strong country," but the combined meaning elevates to "powerful nation" or "superpower," implying a nation that is influential on the world stage.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
**强国 (qiángguó)** is one of the most important concepts for understanding modern China's psyche and political goals. Its significance is deeply rooted in history and national identity.
The drive to become a **强国** is largely a response to what is known in China as the "Century of Humiliation" (百年国耻, bǎinián guóchǐ), a period from the mid-19th to mid-20th century when China was subjected to foreign invasions and unequal treaties. The pursuit of **强国** status is therefore seen as a way to "rejuvenate" the nation (民族复兴, mínzú fùxīng) and restore China to what is perceived as its historical position of global prominence.
**Comparison with "Superpower":**
While **强国 (qiángguó)** can be translated as "superpower," there's a key difference in connotation. The English term "superpower" often focuses on external military and political projection (e.g., the Cold War superpowers). **强国**, while including this, has a stronger internal focus. It represents a state of //comprehensive// national strength—encompassing a strong economy, advanced technology, military might, cultural influence, and high living standards for its people. It's a holistic goal of national self-realization and a source of immense national pride.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**强国 (qiángguó)** is a formal and aspirational term you will encounter frequently in official contexts, but it's also used in everyday discussions about national progress.
==== In Media and Politics ====
This is the most common context. You'll see it constantly in news headlines, government work reports, and political speeches. It is often part of official goals and slogans.
  * Example Phrase: “建设社会主义现代化**强国**” (jiànshè shèhuìzhǔyì xiàndàihuà **qiángguó**) - "To build a modern socialist powerful nation."
==== On Social Media and in Conversation ====
Netizens and regular people use **强国 (qiángguó)** to express national pride, especially after a major achievement like a successful space mission or a technological breakthrough.
  * The connotation is overwhelmingly positive and patriotic. It's a collective goal that unites people.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 中国的长期目标是成为一个世界**强国**。
    * Pinyin: Zhōngguó de chángqī mùbiāo shì chéngwéi yí ge shìjiè **qiángguó**.
    * English: China's long-term goal is to become a world **powerful nation**.
    * Analysis: This sentence states a clear national ambition. **强国** here is used as the ultimate objective.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 科技创新是**强国**富民的必经之路。
    * Pinyin: Kējì chuàngxīn shì **qiángguó** fùmín de bìjīngzhīlù.
    * English: Technological innovation is the necessary path to making the nation **strong** and the people rich.
    * Analysis: This links technological progress directly to the goal of becoming a **强国**. The phrase **强国**富民 (qiángguó fùmín) is a common pairing.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 一个真正的**强国**不仅要有经济实力，还要有文化自信。
    * Pinyin: Yí ge zhēnzhèng de **qiángguó** bùjǐn yào yǒu jīngjì shílì, hái yào yǒu wénhuà zìxìn.
    * English: A true **powerful nation** must not only have economic strength, but also cultural confidence.
    * Analysis: This highlights the comprehensive nature of the term, extending beyond just money or military.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 很多人相信，我们正在见证一个**强国**的崛起。
    * Pinyin: Hěn duō rén xiāngxìn, wǒmen zhèngzài jiànzhèng yí ge **qiángguó** de juéqǐ.
    * English: Many people believe we are witnessing the rise of a **powerful nation**.
    * Analysis: The term [[崛起]] (juéqǐ) - "to rise" - is frequently used with **强国**.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 强大的国防是**强国**地位的保障。
    * Pinyin: Qiángdà de guófáng shì **qiángguó** dìwèi de bǎozhàng.
    * English: A strong national defense is the guarantee of a **powerful nation's** status.
    * Analysis: This sentence directly connects military strength to the concept of being a **强国**.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 他毕生的梦想就是看到祖国成为**强国**。
    * Pinyin: Tā bìshēng de mèngxiǎng jiùshì kàndào zǔguó chéngwéi **qiángguó**.
    * English: His lifelong dream is to see his motherland become a **powerful nation**.
    * Analysis: Shows the deep, personal, and patriotic emotion associated with the term.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 这次奥运会的成功举办，展示了我们的**强国**形象。
    * Pinyin: Zhè cì Àoyùnhuì de chénggōng jǔbàn, zhǎnshì le wǒmen de **qiángguó** xíngxiàng.
    * English: The successful hosting of these Olympic Games showcased our image as a **powerful nation**.
    * Analysis: Here, **强国** is used as an adjective to describe "image" (形象).
  * **Example 8:**
    * 建设海洋**强国**是一个重要的国家战略。
    * Pinyin: Jiànshè hǎiyáng **qiángguó** shì yí ge zhòngyào de guójiā zhànlüè.
    * English: Building a maritime **powerful nation** is an important national strategy.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates how **强国** can be combined with other nouns (like 海洋, ocean) to specify the type of power being pursued.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 从一个贫穷的国家发展成一个**强国**，需要几代人的努力。
    * Pinyin: Cóng yí ge pínqióng de guójiā fāzhǎn chéng yí ge **qiángguó**, xūyào jǐ dài rén de nǔlì.
    * English: To develop from a poor country into a **powerful nation** requires the efforts of several generations.
    * Analysis: This sentence frames the journey to becoming a **强国** as a long and arduous process.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 体育**强国**的标志之一是在各种国际赛事上取得好成绩。
    * Pinyin: Tǐyù **qiángguó** de biāozhì zhīyī shì zài gèzhǒng guójì sàishì shàng qǔdé hǎo chéngjì.
    * English: One of the signs of being a **sporting power** is achieving good results in various international competitions.
    * Analysis: Similar to example 8, this shows **强国** can be specialized, e.g., 体育强国 (tǐyù qiángguó), a sporting powerhouse.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Mistake 1: Not just about physical strength.**
    * A beginner might see **强 (qiáng)** and think it means "a country with strong people." This is incorrect. **强国** refers to comprehensive //national// power: economic, political, military, and cultural.
  * **Mistake 2: Confusing it with [[富国]] (fùguó) - "Rich Country".**
    * While a **强国** is almost always a [[富国]] (fùguó, rich country), the focus is different. A country can be wealthy (e.g., due to oil) without having significant global military or political influence. **强国** implies a much broader and more formidable type of power.
    * //Incorrect:// 瑞士是一个军事**强国**。 (Ruìshì shì yí ge jūnshì qiángguó.) - "Switzerland is a military superpower." (Incorrect, as Switzerland is famously neutral).
    * //Correct:// 瑞士是一个非常富裕的国家。 (Ruìshì shì yí ge fēicháng fùyù de guójiā.) - "Switzerland is a very wealthy country."
  * **Mistake 3: Using it for non-countries.**
    * **强国** is reserved for nations. To describe a powerful company or person, you should use [[强大]] (qiángdà).
    * //Incorrect:// 华为是一个**强国**。 (Huáwéi shì yí ge qiángguó.)
    * //Correct:// 华为是一个非常**强大**的公司。 (Huáwéi shì yí ge fēicháng qiángdà de gōngsī.) - "Huawei is a very powerful company."
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[中国梦]] (Zhōngguó Mèng) - The Chinese Dream; the overarching national vision where becoming a **强国** is a central goal.
  * [[大国]] (dàguó) - A large nation or major power. This term emphasizes size and significance, whereas **强国** emphasizes strength and influence. All superpowers are major powers, but not all major powers are superpowers.
  * [[崛起]] (juéqǐ) - To rise, to emerge. Often used to describe the process of a nation becoming powerful, e.g., "中国的崛起" (The Rise of China).
  * [[复兴]] (fùxīng) - Rejuvenation or revival. The ultimate ideological goal is the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" (中华民族伟大复兴), which is achieved by becoming a **强国**.
  * [[富国]] (fùguó) - A wealthy nation. This focuses on economic prosperity, which is a prerequisite for, but not the entirety of, being a **强国**.
  * [[强军]] (qiángjūn) - A strong military. The "strong military dream" (强军梦) is considered a key pillar of the "strong nation dream" (强国梦).
  * [[超级大国]] (chāojí dàguó) - Superpower. A more direct and literal translation, often used in academic or formal contexts to refer to nations like the United States. **强国** is the more common and emotionally resonant term used within China for its own aspirations.
  * [[霸权]] (bàquán) - Hegemony. This has a negative connotation of a country dominating others through force. Chinese officials often state that China seeks to be a **强国** but will never seek **霸权**.