fùqiáng: 富强 - Prosperous and Powerful, Rich and Strong

• Keywords: 富强, fùqiáng, fuqiang, what does fuqiang mean, prosperous and powerful, Chinese Dream, core socialist values, national rejuvenation, rich and strong China, Chinese political terms.
• Summary: “富强” (fùqiáng) is a foundational Chinese term meaning “prosperous and powerful” or “rich and strong.” Far more than a simple adjective, it represents China's collective national goal of achieving economic wealth and military/political might. As the leading principle of the Core Socialist Values and a central pillar of the “Chinese Dream,” understanding fùqiáng is essential for grasping modern Chinese politics, national identity, and the country's long-term aspirations for rejuvenation on the world stage.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fùqiáng
• Part of Speech: Adjective (can function as a noun describing a state of being)
• HSK Level: N/A (but crucial for understanding modern China)
• Concise Definition: To be prosperous and powerful, typically in the context of a nation.
• In a Nutshell: “Fùqiáng” isn't about an individual being rich or strong; it's the ultimate aspiration for the entire nation of China. It combines the idea of a thriving, wealthy economy (富 fù) with a formidable, respected military and political presence (强 qiáng). Think of it as the country's “final form” in the eyes of its government and many of its people—a state of complete national security and prosperity.

• 富 (fù): This character means “rich” or “abundant.” The top radical '宀' (mián) represents a roof or a house. The bottom component '畐' (fù) originally depicted a full wine jar. Together, they create a vivid image of a household filled with abundance, hence “wealthy.”
• 强 (qiáng): This character means “strong” or “powerful.” It's composed of '弓' (gōng), which means “bow” (a symbol of military strength), and '虫' (chóng), which often acts as a phonetic component. The “bow” radical is the key visual cue for its meaning of strength.

When combined, 富强 (fùqiáng) literally means “rich and strong.” This pairing encapsulates a two-pronged national goal: economic prosperity must be paired with formidable strength to ensure the nation's sovereignty and well-being.

“Fùqiáng” is one of the most significant terms in modern Chinese political and social discourse. Its importance stems from both historical trauma and future ambition. For over a century, from the mid-19th to mid-20th century, China endured what is now called the “Century of Humiliation” (百年国耻 bǎinián guóchǐ), a period of foreign invasions, unequal treaties, and internal strife. The country was perceived as poor and weak. The quest for 富强 (fùqiáng) is a direct response to this history—a solemn vow to never let the nation be vulnerable again. In the present day, 富强 (fùqiáng) is the very first of the twelve “Core Socialist Values” (社会主义核心价值观). These values are promoted nationwide on billboards, in schools, and in official media. Placing 富强 (fùqiáng) at the top signals that national prosperity and strength are the foremost goals from which other values (like democracy, civility, and harmony) will follow. Comparison to a Western Concept: While the “American Dream” is a useful parallel, it highlights a key difference. The American Dream is typically individualistic—focused on personal success, owning a home, and upward mobility. The “Chinese Dream” (中国梦 Zhōngguó mèng), on the other hand, is fundamentally collectivist, and 富强 (fùqiáng) is its core. The idea is that the nation must first become “rich and strong,” and this collective achievement will then enable individuals to prosper and live good lives. The focus is on the nation first, the individual second.

• Official Slogans and Propaganda: You cannot travel in China without seeing 富强 on red banners, posters, and public service announcements. It is the leading term in the official 12-word slogan for the Core Socialist Values: 富强、民主、文明、和谐…
• News and Political Speeches: Leaders and news anchors use 富强 constantly when discussing national goals, economic policy, military modernization, and the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” (中华民族伟大复兴). It's formal, official language.
• Education: Chinese students learn this term from a young age as a civic virtue and a national objective. It's embedded in textbooks and taught as a source of national pride.
• General Conversation: While it's a formal word, people might use it in serious discussions about the country's direction. For example, an older person might remark on how much more 富强 China is now compared to their youth. However, you would not use it to describe a person or a company in casual chat.

• Example 1:
  • 实现国家的富强是每个中国人的梦想。
  • Pinyin: Shíxiàn guójiā de fùqiáng shì měi ge Zhōngguórén de mèngxiǎng.
  • English: Achieving the nation's prosperity and power is the dream of every Chinese person.
  • Analysis: This sentence frames fùqiáng as a shared, collective national dream.
• Example 2:
  • 富强是社会主义核心价值观的第一个目标。
  • Pinyin: Fùqiáng shì shèhuìzhǔyì héxīn jiàzhíguān de dì-yī ge mùbiāo.
  • English: “Prosperity and strength” is the first goal of the Core Socialist Values.
  • Analysis: This shows the term's official ranking and importance in modern Chinese ideology.
• Example 3:
  • 一个国家只有经济发达、军事强大，才能被称为富强。
  • Pinyin: Yī ge guójiā zhǐyǒu jīngjì fādá, jūnshì qiángdà, cáinéng bèi chēngwéi fùqiáng.
  • English: Only when a country is economically developed and militarily powerful can it be called “rich and strong.”
  • Analysis: This sentence clearly defines the two core components of fùqiáng: economic and military power.
• Example 4:
  • 老一辈人为祖国的富强奋斗了一生。
  • Pinyin: Lǎo yībèi rén wèi zǔguó de fùqiáng fèndòu le yīshēng.
  • English: The older generation struggled their entire lives for the prosperity and strength of the motherland.
  • Analysis: This highlights the historical struggle and sacrifice associated with the pursuit of fùqiáng.
• Example 5:
  • 看到国家现在这么富强，我心里感到非常自豪。
  • Pinyin: Kàndào guójiā xiànzài zhème fùqiáng, wǒ xīnlǐ gǎndào fēicháng zìháo.
  • English: Seeing how prosperous and powerful the country is now, I feel very proud in my heart.
  • Analysis: This shows how the concept of fùqiáng is linked to feelings of national pride.
• Example 6:
  • 中国梦的本质就是国家富强、民族振兴、人民幸福。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó mèng de běnzhì jiùshì guójiā fùqiáng, mínzú zhènxīng, rénmín xìngfú.
  • English: The essence of the Chinese Dream is a prosperous and powerful country, a rejuvenated nation, and happy people.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly connects fùqiáng to the “Chinese Dream” and “National Rejuvenation.”
• Example 7:
  • 我们必须坚持改革开放，才能让国家更快地走向富强。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū jiānchí gǎigé kāifàng, cáinéng ràng guójiā gèng kuài de zǒuxiàng fùqiáng.
  • English: We must adhere to Reform and Opening Up in order to let the country move more quickly towards prosperity and power.
  • Analysis: This connects the goal of fùqiáng to specific national policies.
• Example 8:
  • 国家的富强离不开科技的创新。
  • Pinyin: Guójiā de fùqiáng líbukāi kējì de chuàngxīn.
  • English: The nation's prosperity and strength cannot be separated from technological innovation.
  • Analysis: This highlights a modern view on how to achieve fùqiáng.
• Example 9:
  • 他认为，教育是国家富强的根本。
  • Pinyin: Tā rènwéi, jiàoyù shì guójiā fùqiáng de gēnběn.
  • English: He believes that education is the foundation of a nation's prosperity and power.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the term used in expressing a personal opinion on national strategy.
• Example 10:
  • 为了建设一个富强、民主、文明、和谐的现代化国家，我们还需要继续努力。
  • Pinyin: Wèile jiànshè yī ge fùqiáng, mínzhǔ, wénmíng, héxié de xiàndàihuà guójiā, wǒmen hái xūyào jìxù nǔlì.
  • English: In order to build a modern country that is prosperous, democratic, civilized, and harmonious, we still need to continue to work hard.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses fùqiáng as the leading adjective in a list of national attributes, which is a very common official formulation.

• Do Not Use for Individuals: The most common mistake for learners is to apply 富强 to a person. It is used almost exclusively for a country or nation.
  • Incorrect: 我的朋友很有钱也很强壮，他很富强。(Wǒ de péngyou hěn yǒuqián yě hěn qiángzhuàng, tā hěn fùqiáng.)
  • Reason: This sounds very strange, like calling your friend a “superpower.”
  • Correct: To say a person is rich, use 有钱 (yǒuqián). To say they are physically strong, use 强壮 (qiángzhuàng) or 健壮 (jiànzhuàng).
• Not Just “Rich”: Don't mistake 富强 for just being “rich” or “prosperous.” The 强 (qiáng) component is equally important. It implies might, power, and the ability to defend oneself and project influence. A small, rich, but militarily weak country might be described as 富裕 (fùyù - well-off), but not 富强.
• State Goal, Not Just a Description: While it can describe a country's current state, 富强 is more often used as a goal or an aspiration. It carries a heavy political and historical weight, unlike a neutral descriptive term.

• 中国梦 (Zhōngguó mèng) - The Chinese Dream; the overarching national goal of which 富强 is a key component.
• 社会主义核心价值观 (shèhuìzhǔyì héxīn jiàzhíguān) - Core Socialist Values; the official set of 12 values where 富强 is listed first.
• 民族复兴 (mínzú fùxīng) - National Rejuvenation; the grand historical goal that achieving 富强 will fulfill.
• 强大 (qiángdà) - Powerful, formidable; focuses more on the “strong” (强) aspect of 富强.
• 繁荣 (fánróng) - Prosperous, booming; focuses more on the “rich” (富) aspect and is often used alongside 富强.
• 富裕 (fùyù) - Well-off, affluent; a term for economic prosperity that can be applied to a nation, a region, or even a family. It lacks the “strong” connotation.
• 小康 (xiǎokāng) - Moderately prosperous; specifically refers to a comfortable standard of living, considered a milestone on the path to 富强.
• 国力 (guólì) - National strength/power; a more neutral term to measure a country's comprehensive power, which is the basis of 富强.
• 百年国耻 (bǎinián guóchǐ) - The Century of Humiliation; the historical period that provides the core motivation for the modern pursuit of 富强.