战士

• Pinyin: zhàn shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 战 = 单 + 戈 (spear), battle; 士 = pictograph of a man standing upright, a man of principle or a soldier

Meaning

Soldier; warrior; fighter. Also used figuratively for anyone who fights bravely for a cause.

In a military context, 战士 refers to an enlisted soldier or warrior. More broadly it is used as a term of respect for people who fight selflessly for a principle, cause, or community — such as medical workers during a crisis or activists for social justice.

Examples

1. 他是一位英勇的战士，多次在战场上立功。 He was a brave soldier who earned commendations on the battlefield on multiple occasions.
2. 抗洪救灾的战士们连续作战，不顾个人安危。 The soldiers fighting the floods worked continuously without regard for their own safety.
3. 她被称为环境保护的战士，几十年如一日地坚守岗位。 She is known as a warrior for environmental protection, having held her post steadfastly for decades.

Usage Guide

Context: military, social, inspirational

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 这些战士用生命保卫了国家的安全。(These soldiers protected national security with their lives.)
• 她是一位为弱势群体发声的战士。(She is a fighter who speaks up for vulnerable groups.)

Don't Say

• 在轻松玩笑场合用'战士'称呼普通朋友 (Avoid calling ordinary friends 战士 in casual jokes — the word carries a strong sense of sacrifice and courage that makes it feel out of place in trivial contexts)

Origin & History

A compound of 战 (battle, war) and 士 (scholar, gentleman, a man of integrity). 士 historically referred to a class of educated warriors in ancient China; the combination means a man who fights with honour.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal