复兴

• Pinyin: fù xīng
• Hanzi breakdown: 复 = 彳 + 日 + 夂 (restore, return); 兴 = 同 + 八 (prosper, rise, flourish)

Meaning

Rejuvenation; revival; renaissance. The process of revitalising or restoring something — a nation, culture, or institution — to its former strength and glory.

民族复兴 (national rejuvenation) is a key political phrase in contemporary China, especially 中华民族伟大复兴 (the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation). Also used for cultural, economic, or artistic revivals. 文艺复兴 is the specific term for the European Renaissance.

Examples

1. 中华民族伟大复兴是几代中国人共同追求的历史使命和奋斗目标。 The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a historic mission and goal pursued by generations of Chinese people.
2. 经过数十年的衰退，这座小城的传统纺织业正在政策扶持下缓慢复兴。 After decades of decline, this small city’s traditional textile industry is slowly reviving with policy support.
3. 学者们认为，语言的复兴离不开年轻一代在日常生活中对母语的主动使用。 Scholars believe that a language can’t be revitalized without the younger generation actively using their mother tongue in everyday life.

Usage Guide

Context: political, cultural, historical, national

Tone: solemn

Do Say

• 实现民族复兴不仅需要经济发展，更需要文化自信和制度创新。(Achieving national rejuvenation requires not only economic development but also cultural confidence and institutional innovation.)
• 这场工业复兴运动为该地区创造了大量就业机会，重振了地方经济。(This industrial revival movement created a large number of jobs in the region and reinvigorated the local economy.)

Don't Say

• 复兴了一道菜 — 复兴 is reserved for large-scale cultural, national, or institutional revival; use 重新流行 or 复原配方 for reviving a recipe

Origin & History

复 (return/restore) + 兴 (prosper/rise)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal