长城 Meaning
/cháng chéng/
- formal
The Great Wall is an ancient series of fortifications built across the historical northern borders of China to protect against nomadic invasions. It is a monumental symbol of Chinese endurance, architectural ingenuity, and the historical effort to define and defend the civilization's territory. While "Great Wall" is the standard translation, it is often referred to as the "Ten Thousand Li Long Wall" (万里长城) in Chinese to emphasize its immense scale. It is a common destination for tourism and a frequent metaphor in literature for overcoming obstacles or achieving great feats.
What is 长城?
The Great Wall is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China. It was constructed to protect the Chinese states and empires against the raids and invasions of various nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe. Today, it is one of the world's most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
长城 in Conversation
Planning a trip
- A: 下周我们去北京，一定要去长城看看。We are going to Beijing next week, we must visit the Great Wall.
- B: 好啊，听说长城人很多，我们得早点出发。Sounds good, I heard the Great Wall is very crowded, we should leave early.
When discussing tourism, people often mention the crowd levels at the Great Wall.
Discussing history
- A: 长城真的是古代劳动人民的智慧结晶。The Great Wall is truly a crystallization of the wisdom of ancient working people.
- B: 是啊，跨越了这么多朝代，实在不容易。Yes, it spanned so many dynasties, it really wasn't easy.
Refers to the historical and cultural significance of the wall.
Examples
长城很长。
The Great Wall is very long.
/cháng chéng hěn cháng./
不到长城非好汉。
He who has not been to the Great Wall is not a true man.
/bù dào cháng chéng fēi hǎo hàn./
长城作为世界文化遗产，每年吸引着数以万计的游客前来参观。
As a World Cultural Heritage site, the Great Wall attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year.
/cháng chéng zuò wéi shì jiè wén huà yí chǎn, měi nián xī yǐn zhe shù yǐ wàn jì de yóu kè qián lái cān guān./