guógē: 国歌 - National Anthem

• Keywords: guoge, 国歌, Chinese national anthem, March of the Volunteers, Yìyǒngjūn Jìnxíngqǔ, 义勇军进行曲, PRC anthem, Chinese patriotism, Chinese national song, what is the Chinese national anthem.
• Summary: Learn about the 国歌 (guógē), the official national anthem of the People's Republic of China. Discover the history and meaning of its famous title, “March of the Volunteers” (义勇军进行曲), and understand its powerful role in modern Chinese patriotism, from official ceremonies and school assemblies to international sporting events. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage for any learner of Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): guógē
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: The official song of a country; the national anthem.
• In a Nutshell: 国歌 (guógē) literally translates to “country song” and is the standard term for “national anthem.” In the context of China, it specifically refers to “March of the Volunteers” (义勇军进行曲). It is a powerful and solemn piece of music that represents national pride, unity, and resilience. You will hear it at formal state occasions, flag-raising ceremonies, and international sports competitions when a Chinese athlete wins gold.

• 国 (guó): This character means “country,” “nation,” or “state.” It's a pictograph of a boundary or wall (囗) protecting a territory. Inside, the original component was a weapon (戈), symbolizing defense and power.
• 歌 (gē): This character means “song” or “to sing.” The left part (欠) depicts an open mouth, representing singing or breathing out, while the right part (哥) provides the phonetic sound.
• Together, 国 (country) + 歌 (song) logically combine to mean “country song,” or “national anthem.”

The Chinese national anthem, 国歌, is not a peaceful ode to the country's beauty but a powerful battle cry born from a period of national crisis. Its official name is the “March of the Volunteers” (《义勇军进行曲》, Yìyǒngjūn Jìnxíngqǔ). It was written in 1935 by the poet Tian Han (田汉) and composer Nie Er (聂耳) for the patriotic film “Sons and Daughters in a Time of Storm.” The song was a call to action for the Chinese people to resist the Japanese invasion of Northeast China. Its famous opening line, “Arise! All who refuse to be slaves!” (起来！不愿做奴隶的人们！), captures its spirit of defiance and resilience. Comparison with Western Concepts: Unlike anthems such as the UK's “God Save the King,” which focuses on a monarch, or Canada's “O Canada,” which describes the nation's geography, the Chinese 国歌 is more akin to France's “La Marseillaise.” Both are revolutionary anthems born from intense conflict, emphasizing a collective struggle and the will of the people to fight for their nation's survival. The 国歌 embodies the value of collective sacrifice and national unity in the face of external threats, a core tenet of modern Chinese identity.

The use of the 国歌 is taken very seriously and is governed by the “Law on the National Anthem of the People's Republic of China” enacted in 2017.

• Formal Occasions: It is played at major state events, such as the opening of the National People's Congress, national day celebrations, and diplomatic functions.
• Flag-Raising Ceremonies: You will hear it every morning at school assemblies and public squares across China, most famously at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. When the anthem is played, people are expected to stand solemnly and face the flag.
• Sporting Events: The 国歌 is played before major international sports matches and during medal ceremonies, like the Olympic Games, when Chinese athletes win a gold medal. This is often a moment of great national pride.
• Connotation: The anthem carries a very formal, solemn, and patriotic connotation. It is illegal to use it in commercial advertisements, as background music in public places, or to alter the lyrics or melody in a disrespectful way.

• Example 1:
  • 每天早上，学生们在学校操场上唱国歌。
  • Pinyin: Měitiān zǎoshang, xuéshēngmen zài xuéxiào cāochǎng shàng chàng guógē.
  • English: Every morning, the students sing the national anthem on the school playground.
  • Analysis: This describes a very common, routine event in the Chinese education system.
• Example 2:
  • 奥运会上，当中国运动员赢得金牌时，体育馆里响起了国歌。
  • Pinyin: Àoyùnhuì shàng, dāng Zhōngguó yùndòngyuán yíngdé jīnpái shí, tǐyùguǎn lǐ xiǎngqǐle guógē.
  • English: At the Olympic Games, when the Chinese athlete won the gold medal, the national anthem played in the stadium.
  • Analysis: This highlights a moment of intense national pride connected to the anthem.
• Example 3:
  • 听到国歌，所有人都立刻站了起来。
  • Pinyin: Tīngdào guógē, suǒyǒu rén dōu lìkè zhàn le qǐlái.
  • English: Upon hearing the national anthem, everyone immediately stood up.
  • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates the expected respectful behavior when the anthem is played.
• Example 4:
  • 中国的国歌叫做《义勇军进行曲》。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó de guógē jiàozuò “Yìyǒngjūn Jìnxíngqǔ”.
  • English: China's national anthem is called “March of the Volunteers.”
  • Analysis: A simple, factual sentence providing the official name of the anthem.
• Example 5:
  • 法律规定，不能在商业广告中使用国歌。
  • Pinyin: Fǎlǜ guīdìng, bùnéng zài shāngyè guǎnggào zhōng shǐyòng guógē.
  • English: The law stipulates that the national anthem cannot be used in commercial advertisements.
  • Analysis: This points to the legal and formal status of the anthem in China.
• Example 6:
  • 每次在国外听到国歌，他都会感到非常激动和自豪。
  • Pinyin: Měi cì zài guówài tīngdào guógē, tā dōu huì gǎndào fēicháng jīdòng hé zìháo.
  • English: Every time he hears the national anthem abroad, he feels very moved and proud.
  • Analysis: This illustrates the emotional connection and sense of identity the anthem can evoke, especially for overseas Chinese.
• Example 7:
  • 你会唱你们国家的国歌吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ huì chàng nǐmen guójiā de guógē ma?
  • English: Can you sing your country's national anthem?
  • Analysis: A common question to ask someone from another country, using 国歌 in a general sense.
• Example 8:
  • 这首国歌的歌词充满了力量。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shǒu guógē de gēcí chōngmǎnle lìliàng.
  • English: The lyrics of this national anthem are full of power.
  • Analysis: This sentence comments on the content and feeling of the anthem's lyrics. The measure word for songs, 首 (shǒu), is used here.
• Example 9:
  • 电影的结尾，主角在国旗下高唱国歌。
  • Pinyin: Diànyǐng de jiéwěi, zhǔjué zài guóqí xià gāochàng guógē.
  • English: At the end of the movie, the main character sang the national anthem loudly under the national flag.
  • Analysis: This shows how the anthem is used in media to evoke patriotism and climax.
• Example 10:
  • 奏国歌时，我们应该保持肃静。
  • Pinyin: Zòu guógē shí, wǒmen yīnggāi bǎochí sùjìng.
  • English: When the national anthem is being played, we should remain silent and solemn.
  • Analysis: 奏 (zòu) is the specific verb for playing formal music or an instrument, often used with 国歌.

• Solemnity is Not Optional: A common mistake for foreigners is underestimating the seriousness with which the 国歌 is treated. In many Western countries, it's common to hear pop-star renditions or parodies of the national anthem. In China, this is illegal and deeply offensive. The anthem is a symbol of national dignity and the sacrifices made during wartime; it is not for entertainment.
• Not a General “Anthem”: The English word “anthem” can be used more broadly (e.g., “a rock anthem,” “an anthem for our generation”). The Chinese word 国歌 exclusively means national anthem. You cannot call a popular rock song a 摇滚国歌 (yáogǔn guógē). You would use a word like 圣歌 (shènggē, “hymn” or “ode”) or a descriptive phrase instead.
• Confusing it with Other Songs: Foreigners sometimes confuse the 国歌 with other extremely popular patriotic songs, such as “Ode to the Motherland” (《歌唱祖国》). While also very famous and played at national events, only “March of the Volunteers” is the official 国歌.

• 义勇军进行曲 (Yìyǒngjūn Jìnxíngqǔ) - The official name of the Chinese national anthem, “March of the Volunteers.”
• 国旗 (guóqí) - National flag. The anthem is almost always played during the raising of the flag.
• 国徽 (guóhuī) - National emblem. Another of the three primary official symbols of the PRC.
• 爱国主义 (àiguó zhǔyì) - Patriotism. The core feeling the national anthem is meant to inspire.
• 升旗仪式 (shēngqí yíshì) - Flag-raising ceremony. The most common formal event where the anthem is played and sung.
• 田汉 (Tián Hàn) - The famous playwright and poet who wrote the lyrics for the national anthem.
• 聂耳 (Niè Ěr) - The composer who wrote the music for the national anthem.
• 歌唱祖国 (Gēchàng Zǔguó) - “Ode to the Motherland,” a very famous patriotic song often mistaken for the national anthem.
• 中华人民共和国国歌法 (Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Guógē Fǎ) - The “Law on the National Anthem of the PRC,” which governs its official use.