Meaning
The Warring States period (475–221 BCE) was a turbulent era in ancient Chinese history when seven major states fought for supremacy before the Qin Dynasty unified China. This period is named for the constant warfare and political intrigue among these competing kingdoms. It was also a golden age of Chinese philosophy, producing Confucius, Mencius, and many other important thinkers.
Usage
战国 is primarily used in historical contexts to refer to this specific period in Chinese history. It commonly appears in academic discussions, historical texts, and cultural references. Native speakers often use it with 时代 (shídài, period/era) or 时期 (shíqī, period) for clarity.
Examples
- 01战国时期是中国古代思想最活跃的时代之一。.The Warring States period was one of the most intellectually vibrant eras in ancient China.
- 02战国七雄互相征战，最后秦国统一了天下。, .The Seven Warring States fought each other, and ultimately the state of Qin unified the realm.
Characters
Common collocations
- 战国时代Warring States era
- 战国时期Warring States period
- 战国七雄Seven Warring States
- 战国策Strategies of the Warring States (historical text)
Origin
The term literally means 'warring states' and comes from the title of the historical text 战国策 (Zhàn Guó Cè, Strategies of the Warring States), compiled in the Han Dynasty to document this era's political and military strategies.