Definition
国殇 is a classical Chinese term of deep reverence, literally 'national untimely death', referring to soldiers who die young in defense of their homeland. It evokes solemn commemoration and is most famously used in the poem Guó Shāng (国殇) by Qu Yuan in the Chu Ci anthology. Unlike 烈士 (standard revolutionary martyr), 国殇 carries a literary and tragic connotation, emphasizing premature death in battle. You can use it in formal or historical contexts to honor those who gave their lives for the nation.
n.
national martyr (term of reverence for one who dies in defense of the country, especially a young soldier)
Examples
- 国殇。Zhè shǒu shīgē jìlù le zhànshìmen de guó shāng.This poem records the soldiers' national martyrdom.
- 国殇。Wǒmen yǒngyuǎn míngjì nàxiē wèi guó juānqū de guó shāng.We will forever remember those who died for the country as national martyrs.
- ，国殇。Zài jìniànguǎn lǐ, rénmen xiàng guó shāng jìngxiàn huāquān.At the memorial hall, people offered wreaths to the national martyrs.
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