Definition
卖国 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to betray one's country'. The verb 卖 ('sell') and the noun 国 ('country') combine to form a compound that can split when inserting time expressions, complements, or modifiers — for example, 卖过一次国 ('betrayed the country once') or 卖了国 ('betrayed the country'). It is used in political and historical contexts, often appearing in the fixed term 卖国贼 ('traitor').
v.o.
to betray one's country
Examples
- 卖国。mài guó shì yì zhǒng yánzhòng de fànzuì xíngwéi.Betraying one's country is a serious crime.
- 卖国。Lìshǐ shàng yǒu bùshǎo rén yīnwèi mài guó ér yíchòu wànnián.In history, many people have been reviled for betraying their country.
- 。Tā wèile gèrén lìyì mài guò yí cì guó.He betrayed his country once for personal gain.
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