📖 Meaning
A founding father who rendered exceptional service in establishing a new nation or dynasty. It refers to those who made great contributions to the founding of a country or regime.
📜 Origin Story
The term appears in the Ming dynasty work 'West Lake Tales' (西湖二集) by Zhou Ji, where Liu Bowen (Liu Ji), a key strategist who helped Zhu Yuanzhang found the Ming dynasty, is called the 'first founding meritorious minister.' Liu Bowen was a scholar and military advisor from Qingtian whose counsel was instrumental in the establishment of the Ming dynasty. The phrase has since been used to honor those who made decisive contributions to founding a state.
💡 Example Usage
这位将军是开国元勋，深受人民爱戴。
This general is a founding father of the nation, deeply loved by the people.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 开国元勋
- Pinyin: kāi guó yuán xūn
- Literal Translation: open, country, founding, merit
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4