📖 Meaning
To hold the nation's welfare in one's heart and work diligently to fulfill one's official duties. It describes an attitude of selfless devotion to the state and conscientious public service.
📜 Origin Story
From the 'Book of Later Han' (后汉书), Biography of Ji Zun. Ji Zun was a general under Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han dynasty, renowned for his frugality and unwavering dedication to public duty. The emperor lamented, asking where one could find officials as devoted to the state and public service as Ji Zun the Conqueror. The phrase thus became a byword for loyal, selfless officials who put the nation before personal gain.
💡 Example Usage
他一生忧国奉公，深受百姓爱戴。
Devoting his whole life to serving the nation and the public, he was deeply beloved by the people.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 忧国奉公
- Pinyin: yōu guó fèng gōng
- Literal Translation: worry about country, serve public
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4