the state; the country; the realm
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
the state; the country; the nation (originally the altars of earth and grain)
literaryOriginally referred to the worship of the earth god (社) and grain god (稷) in ancient China; later became a metonym for the state. Used in formal, literary, or historical contexts.
Jiāng江
shān山
shè社
jì稷
，
lái来
zhī之
bù不
yì易
。
The realm was not easily won.
Gǔ古
dài代
jūn君
zhǔ主
měi每
nián年
dōu都
yào要
jì祭
sì祀
shè社
jì稷
。
Ancient monarchs had to offer sacrifices to the altars of soil and grain every year.
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Shè社
jì稷
ān安
wēi危
，
pǐ匹
fū夫
yǒu有
zé责
。
Every man shares responsibility for the safety of the country.
Zhōng忠
yú于
shè社
jì稷
，
ài爱
hù护
bǎi百
xìng姓
。
Be loyal to the state and care for the common people.