尚武 (shàng wǔ) — to esteem martial qualities; to emphasize military affairs

Definition

尚武 (shàng wǔ) is a literary/verb-of-attitude meaning 'to value martial or military qualities', often describing a culture or era. It pairs naturally with its opposite 重文 (valuing the literary/civil side).

verb
to esteem martial qualitiesto emphasize military affairs
Easily confused

Examples

  • 尚武。
    Zhè ge cháo dài yǐ shàng wǔ zhù chēng.
    This dynasty was known for its emphasis on martial values.
  • 尚武，。
    Tā cóng xiǎo jiù shàng wǔ, xǐ huan liàn wǔ.
    He has valued martial arts since childhood and enjoys practicing them.
  • 尚武，。
    Lì shǐ shàng yǒu xiē guó jiā hěn shàng wǔ, yǒu xiē zé zhòng wén qīng wǔ.
    In history, some countries strongly emphasized military affairs, while others valued culture over military.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

尚shàngesteem
武wǔmartial

尚 esteem and 武 martial combine to mean valuing military strength.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
八八bā
Sound part声符shēngfú
向
向xiàng尚shàng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

尚 pairs 八 with 向: 八 carries the meaning, and 向 gives the sound.

Open 尚 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

武 puts 戈 (dagger-axe) above 止 (foot/to walk), showing an army going on an expedition.

Open 武 →

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