S6E09 | The Great Rejuvenation
Saying: “many hardships can rejuvenate the nation”
Pinyin: Duō Nàn Xīng Bāng
Chinese: 多难兴邦
Here's another good chengyu that goes all the way back to the Zuo Zhuan, The Commentaries of Zuo Qiuming. The story takes place during the 6th century BC and concerns the Spring & Autumn Period states of Chu and Jin. Sima Hou of Jin advised his king against forcing the unlikable Chu King Ling into a corner. The king's advisor explained, when nations find themselves in a tight spot and the heat is on, 多难兴邦 Duō Nàn Xīng Bāng, many hardships can rejuvenate the nation.
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Duō nàn xìng bāng | 多难兴邦 | Many hardships can rejuvenate the nation |
| Duō | 多 | Many, much or more |
| Nàn | 难 | Difficult, hard or a calamity or misfortune |
| Xīng | 兴 | To prosper, rise, prevail or become popular |
| bāng | 邦 | Nation or country |
| Zuǒ Zhuàn | 左转 | The Commentary of Zuǒ…a work that is believed to have been written by one… Zuǒ Qiūmíng 左丘明. The Zuǒ Zhuàn is for the most part a commentary on the Chūnqiū or Spring and Autumn Annals, attributed to Confucius |
| Eastern Zhou | 东周 | The period of the Zhou Dynasty that lasted approximately 770-256 BC. It was comprised of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods |
| Húběi | 湖北 | Province in Central China |
| Húnán | 湖南 | Province in Central China nordering Hubei to the south |
| Chǔ | 楚国 | Ancient kingdom that lasted 1030-223 BC |
| King Kāng | 楚康王 | King of Chu from 559-545 BC |
| Xióng | 熊 | The surname of all Chu kings |
| Jìn | 晋国 | Powerful state that lasted 11th century to 376 BC, located in and around Shānxī Province |
| Wǔ | 吴国 | Powerful state that lasted 12th century to 473 BC |
| Xióng Jūn | 熊麇 | Son and successor of Chu King Kang |
| Prince Wéi | 公子围 | Uncle to Xiong Jun |
| Zhèng | 郑国 | Powerful state that lasted 806 to 375 BC |
| King Líng of Chǔ | 楚灵王 | Prince Wei's title after he usurped the throne. He reigned 540-529 BC |
| Duke Píng | 晋平公 | Duke Ping of Jin who reigned 557-532 BC |
| Sīmǎ Hóu | 司马侯 | Duke Ping of Jin's most trusted advisor |
| Duke Héng of Qí | 齐恒公 | Ruler of the State of Qi from 685-643 BC |
| Duke Wén of Jìn | 晋文公 | Ruler of Jin from 636-628 BC |
| Chéngyǔ Yánjiū Zhōngxīn | 成语研究中心 | The new CSP Chengyu Research Center, now located in a nice part of Beijing |
