rénmín yīngxióng jìniànbēi: 人民英雄纪念碑 - Monument to the People's Heroes

• Keywords: Monument to the People's Heroes, Renmin Yingxiong Jinianbei, Tiananmen Square monument, Chinese martyrs monument, Beijing landmarks, 人民英雄纪念碑, what is the monument in Tiananmen Square, Chinese revolutionary history, PRC national monument.
• Summary: The 人民英雄纪念碑 (rénmín yīngxióng jìniànbēi), or the Monument to the People's Heroes, is a towering national monument located in the heart of Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Erected to commemorate the martyrs who died in China's revolutionary struggles from the 1840s to 1949, it serves as a powerful symbol of Chinese patriotism, sacrifice, and the official history of the People's Republic of China. For any learner of Chinese, understanding this term is key to grasping modern Chinese history and national identity.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): rénmín yīngxióng jìniànbēi
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A large obelisk in Beijing's Tiananmen Square built to commemorate the martyrs of China's revolutionary struggles.
• In a Nutshell: This isn't just a statue; it's the central national monument of the People's Republic of China. It's a physical anchor for the country's founding story, honoring those who died in the fight against foreign invaders and in the civil war that led to the establishment of the PRC. It's a place of solemn state ceremonies, especially on national holidays, and a must-see landmark for tourists seeking to understand the soul of modern China.

• 人 (rén): People, person. A simple pictograph of a person walking.
• 民 (mín): The populace, citizens.
• 英 (yīng): Heroic, brave, outstanding. (Also means “England,” but that's irrelevant here).
• 雄 (xióng): Grand, powerful, heroic.
• 纪 (jì): To record, to commemorate.
• 念 (niàn): To remember, to think of.
• 碑 (bēi): A stele, a stone tablet, a monument.

These characters combine quite literally. `人民 (rénmín)` means “the people.” `英雄 (yīngxióng)` is the standard word for “hero.” And `纪念碑 (jìniànbēi)` means “monument” or “memorial stele.” Put together, you get the direct and powerful name: “The People's Heroes' Monument.”

• The 人民英雄纪念碑 is a cornerstone of the People's Republic of China's national narrative. Completed in 1958, its purpose is to legitimize the Communist Party's rule by framing it as the culmination of a “century of humiliation” and revolutionary struggle. The bas-relief carvings around its base depict eight key events, starting with the destruction of opium in 1839 and ending with the victorious crossing of the Yangtze River by the People's Liberation Army in 1949. The famous inscription on the front, in Mao Zedong's calligraphy, dedicates the monument to the fallen heroes.
• Comparison to a Western Concept: Think of it as a combination of the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the United States. Like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, it honors countless unnamed individuals who sacrificed their lives for the nation. However, like the Lincoln Memorial, it represents a specific, foundational period of national struggle and unification. The key difference is the ideology. While American monuments often emphasize ideals like liberty, unity, or anonymous sacrifice in general, the `人民英雄纪念碑` commemorates heroes within a very specific historical and political narrative—the revolution that led to the founding of the PRC.
• Related Values: The monument embodies the core values of collectivism (集体主义, jítǐzhǔyì) and patriotism (爱国主义, àiguózhǔyì). It celebrates not individual achievement, but the collective sacrifice of “the people” for the greater good of the nation. It is a site for patriotic education and a constant reminder of the official state history.

• As a proper noun, this term is used almost exclusively to refer to the specific monument in Tiananmen Square.
• In the News: You will frequently hear this term during reports on national holidays, such as National Day (October 1st) and especially Martyrs' Day (September 30th), when top government officials hold solemn wreath-laying ceremonies at its base.
• In Tourism and Daily Life: For tourists and locals, it's a central landmark. People refer to it when giving directions around Tiananmen Square or when discussing plans to visit Beijing's key sites.
• In Education: It is a standard topic in Chinese history and civics classes, used to teach students about the “revolutionary martyrs” and the founding of the PRC.
• Formality: Usage is always formal and respectful, given its status as a sacred national symbol.

• Example 1:
  • 游客们在人民英雄纪念碑前拍照留念。
  • Pinyin: Yóukèmen zài Rénmín Yīngxióng Jìniànbēi qián pāizhào liúniàn.
  • English: The tourists are taking photos in front of the Monument to the People's Heroes.
  • Analysis: A simple, common sentence describing a typical tourist activity.
• Example 2:
  • 人民英雄纪念碑坐落在天安门广场的中心。
  • Pinyin: Rénmín Yīngxióng Jìniànbēi zuòluò zài Tiān'ānmén Guǎngchǎng de zhōngxīn.
  • English: The Monument to the People's Heroes is located in the center of Tiananmen Square.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes the monument's specific location, a useful fact for any visitor.
• Example 3:
  • 每年的烈士纪念日，国家领导人都会向人民英雄纪念碑敬献花圈。
  • Pinyin: Měi nián de Lièshì Jìniànrì, guójiā lǐngdǎorén dōu huì xiàng Rénmín Yīngxióng Jìniànbēi jìngxiàn huāquān.
  • English: Every year on Martyrs' Day, the national leaders present wreaths to the Monument to the People's Heroes.
  • Analysis: This highlights the official, ceremonial use of the monument.
• Example 4:
  • 历史老师给我们讲解了人民英雄纪念碑上的浮雕。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ lǎoshī gěi wǒmen jiǎngjiěle Rénmín Yīngxióng Jìniànbēi shàng de fúdiāo.
  • English: The history teacher explained the bas-reliefs on the Monument to the People's Heroes to us.
  • Analysis: Shows the monument's role in education.
• Example 5:
  • 这座雄伟的人民英雄纪念碑是为了纪念在革命斗争中牺牲的烈士们。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zuò xióngwěi de Rénmín Yīngxióng Jìniànbēi shì wèile jìniàn zài gémìng dòuzhēng zhōng xīshēng de lièshìmen.
  • English: This magnificent Monument to the People's Heroes was built to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the revolutionary struggles.
  • Analysis: This sentence clearly states the purpose of the monument.
• Example 6:
  • 站在人民英雄纪念碑下，我能感受到一种庄严肃穆的气氛。
  • Pinyin: Zhàn zài Rénmín Yīngxióng Jìniànbēi xià, wǒ néng gǎnshòu dào yī zhǒng zhuāngyán sùmù de qìfēn.
  • English: Standing beneath the Monument to the People's Heroes, I can feel a solemn and respectful atmosphere.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes the feeling or mood associated with the location.
• Example 7:
  • 人民英雄纪念碑的碑文是毛泽东主席题写的。
  • Pinyin: Rénmín Yīngxióng Jìniànbēi de bēiwén shì Máo Zédōng Zhǔxí tíxiě de.
  • English: The inscription on the Monument to the People's Heroes was written by Chairman Mao Zedong.
  • Analysis: This provides a key historical fact about the monument's iconic calligraphy.
• Example 8:
  • 从天安门城楼向南望，首先看到的就是人民英雄纪念碑。
  • Pinyin: Cóng Tiān'ānmén chénglóu xiàng nán wàng, shǒuxiān kàn dào de jiùshì Rénmín Yīngxióng Jìniànbēi.
  • English: Looking south from the Tiananmen Gate, the first thing you see is the Monument to the People's Heroes.
  • Analysis: A practical sentence helping to orient a visitor within Tiananmen Square.
• Example 9:
  • 这部纪录片详细介绍了人民英雄纪念碑的建造过程。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù jìlùpiàn xiángxì jièshàole Rénmín Yīngxióng Jìniànbēi de jiànzào guòchéng.
  • English: This documentary detailed the construction process of the Monument to the People's Heroes.
  • Analysis: Shows how the term might be used in media or historical contexts.
• Example 10:
  • 孩子们在学校学习了关于人民英雄纪念碑的诗歌。
  • Pinyin: Háizimen zài xuéxiào xuéxíle guānyú Rénmín Yīngxióng Jìniànbēi de shīgē.
  • English: The children learned poems about the Monument to the People's Heroes at school.
  • Analysis: Reinforces the monument's role in cultural and patriotic education from a young age.

• Don't confuse it with the Mausoleum: A very common mistake for foreigners is to confuse the 人民英雄纪念碑 (the obelisk) with the 毛主席纪念堂 (Máo Zhǔxí Jìniàntáng) (Chairman Mao's Mausoleum). They are two distinct, large structures in Tiananmen Square. The monument is the tall, thin spire, while the mausoleum is the large, flat building to its south.
• Not just “any hero”: The term “People's Heroes” (人民英雄) is a specific political designation in China. It refers to those who died in the revolutionary struggles as defined by the Communist Party of China. It is not a general term for any hero, like a firefighter or a model citizen.
• Correct English Translation: Avoid literal, clunky translations like “People Hero Remember Tablet.” The universally accepted and official English name is “Monument to the People's Heroes.” Using this name shows a better understanding of the context.

• `天安门广场 (Tiān'ānmén Guǎngchǎng)` - Tiananmen Square. The famous square where the monument is located.
• `烈士 (lièshì)` - Martyr. A more specific term for the heroes commemorated by the monument, implying sacrifice of life for a cause.
• `革命 (gémìng)` - Revolution. The historical context for who the “people's heroes” are; specifically, the Chinese Revolution.
• `英雄 (yīngxióng)` - Hero. The general term for a hero, of which the “People's Heroes” are a specific, political type.
• `纪念 (jìniàn)` - To commemorate; to remember. The verb that describes the function of the monument.
• `国庆节 (Guóqìngjié)` - National Day (October 1st). A major holiday when ceremonies are held at the monument.
• `毛主席纪念堂 (Máo Zhǔxí Jìniàntáng)` - Chairman Mao Memorial Hall. The other major landmark in Tiananmen Square, often confused with the monument.
• `爱国主义 (àiguózhǔyì)` - Patriotism. The primary value and emotion the monument is intended to evoke.
• `浮雕 (fúdiāo)` - Bas-relief; embossment. A key feature of the monument's base, which tells the story of the revolution.