国泰民安

Pinyin:guó tài mín ān

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📖 Meaning

Peace and prosperity

📜 Origin

《宋史》

💡 Detailed Explanation

"Guotai Min'an" is a subject-predicate idiom that literally means the country is peaceful and the people are content. "Tai" refers to stability and peace, while "an" means tranquility and happiness. It describes a country with clean governance and social stability, where the people live in peace and happiness. This idiom is often used to praise a prosperous era or express a longing for a peaceful life, carrying strongly positive connotations and emotions. Its cultural background stems from the ancient Chinese Confucian idea that "the people are the foundation of the state," holding that national stability and the people's happiness are mutually reinforcing. In usage, it is mostly employed to describe macroscopic social conditions, such as in government work reports, holiday greetings, and literary works. Unlike "guofu minqiang," which emphasizes economic prosperity, "guotai min'an" places greater emphasis on social order and the tranquility of the people's mindset. It originates from the History of Song and reflects the ancients' pursuit of an ideal society, and to this day it remains a shared aspiration of the Chinese people for a better life.

📝 Example

1. On the occasion of the Spring Festival, we wish our motherland peace and prosperity, with the nation enjoying stability and the people living in happiness. 2. After years of governance, this region has finally ushered in a scene of national peace and public security, with the people living and working in contentment.