national foundation; cornerstone of a state
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
the foundation of a nation; the fundamental basis upon which a country rests
formalA formal, often classical term used in political and historical discourse to refer to the essential elements (such as the people, culture, or economy) that sustain a nation. Often appears in set phrases like '动摇国本' (to shake the national foundation).
Mín民
wéi为
guó国
běn本
，
zhì治
guó国
bì必
xiān先
ān安
mín民
。
The people are the foundation of the nation; to govern the country, one must first bring peace to the people.
Jīng经
jì济
shì是
guó国
běn本
，
bù不
kě可
qīng轻
hū忽
。
The economy is the foundation of the nation and must not be neglected.
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Guó国
běn本
dòng动
yáo摇
，
zé则
shè社
jì稷
wēi危
yǐ矣
。
If the national foundation is shaken, then the state is in peril.
Gǔ古
dài代
shèng圣
xián贤
cháng常
yǐ以
mín民
wéi为
guó国
běn本
gào告
jiè诫
jūn君
zhǔ主
。
Ancient sages often admonished monarchs by saying that the people are the foundation of the nation.