Definition
天下 (tiān xià) is a classical Chinese term for 'all under heaven' — the world as a unified realm, especially in imperial contexts. It differs from the modern, geographical 全球 (quán qiú 'the whole world') by carrying cultural and political overtones of rule. In figurative use, 天下 can also refer to political power or sovereignty.
noun
the whole worldall under heavenrulesovereigntypolitical power (in historical or figurative contexts)
Examples
- 天下。Gǔdài Zhōngguó rén dōu xiāngxìn tiān xià shì huángdì tǒngzhì de dìfang.Ancient Chinese all believed that the realm under heaven was ruled by the emperor.
- ，。Tā cóngxiǎo jiù lìzhì yào dǎ tiān xià, zuìzhōng jiànlì le xīn de wángcháo.He resolved from childhood to fight for the realm, and eventually founded a new dynasty.
- 天下，。tiān xià méiyǒu miǎnfèi de wǔcān, xiǎng yào chénggōng jiù děi nǔlì.There's no free lunch under heaven — if you want success, you have to work hard.
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