Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
国歌 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
国歌guógēnational anthemHSK 6, unknown, rank #13905, Hard, formal, politics, music
guógē(guo2ge1) T2
  1. 1national anthem
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
国歌(國歌)guógē(guo2ge1)

国歌 (guó gē) means 'national anthem' in Mandarin. It refers to the official song that represents a nation, often played during national ceremonies, events, or gatherings. The anthem is imbued with patriotic sentiments and serves to unify citizens under a common identity.

Frequency#13905DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In China, the national anthem, known as 'March of the Volunteers,' plays a significant role in state functions and educational settings, reflecting the country's revolutionary history and aspirations.

Memory Tip

Think of 国 (guó) as representing a 'country' and 歌 (gē) as a 'song.' Imagine a grand parade in a country where everyone stands proudly listening to the national song, waving flags. The sounds of the anthem echo through the streets, reminding you of the connection between the country and its music.

Meanings of 国歌

guógē(guo2ge1)
1national anthem
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 国歌

国歌Simplified
國歌Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 国歌

JasonAmy

Podcast: 国歌

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 国歌

Quick Contrast

国歌 (national anthem) vs 歌曲 (song) — choose 国歌 when referring specifically to a nation's official anthem, not just any song.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 国 (guó) as representing a 'country' and 歌 (gē) as a 'song.' Imagine a grand parade in a country where everyone stands proudly listening to the national song, waving flags. The sounds of the anthem echo through the streets, reminding you of the connection between the country and its music.

Usage Notes

When using 国歌, be mindful of the context, as it's typically used in formal settings. A common mistake is to confuse it with songs that are not national anthems; always refer to it when discussing official state songs. Note that the tone is crucial: 'guó' should be pronounced with the second tone, rising, while 'gē' is pronounced with the first tone, high and level.

HSK Study Tips

Although 国歌 is not explicitly listed in HSK vocabulary, it is relevant for learners focusing on topics of national identity and culture. Students should practice not only its pronunciation but also its use in sentences discussing patriotism and national pride.

Cultural Note

In China, the national anthem, known as 'March of the Volunteers,' plays a significant role in state functions and educational settings, reflecting the country's revolutionary history and aspirations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 国歌 by mixing up the tones, saying 'guo1 ge1' instead of 'guo2 ge1.' Another mistake is using it to refer to any patriotic song; remember it specifically means 'national anthem.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 国歌

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 国歌 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

guócountry
HSK 18 strokes
View full entry
song
HSK 114 strokes
View full entry

Write 国歌

Practice writing 国歌 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 国歌

💡Did you know?

In China, the national anthem is called '义勇军进行曲' (March of the Volunteers). It was adopted in 1949 and reflects the spirit of the Chinese people in their struggle for national independence.

🏮Cultural insight

In China, the national anthem, known as 'March of the Volunteers,' plays a significant role in state functions and educational settings, reflecting the country's revolutionary history and aspirations.

📜Proverb

There's a saying in Chinese: '国歌响起时,人人平等'. This means that when the national anthem plays, everyone is equal, emphasizing unity and patriotism.

Frequently Asked Questions about 国歌

The national anthem of China, known as '义勇军进行曲' (Yìyǒngjūn Jìnxíngqǔ), symbolizes patriotism and national pride. It is played during important state functions and serves as a reminder of the country's history and values.