文质彬彬·每日好词语｜中国

　　中国

　　古代华夏族、汉民族以黄河中下游流域为中心生活和活动的区域。“中国”最初是一个地域兼文化的概念。华夏族多建国于黄河流域一带，以为居天下之中，故称“中国”（与“四方”相对）。后泛指中原地区及在中原地区建立的政权和国家。近代以降，“中国”指我国的全部领土与主权。

　　Zhongguo (China)

　　This term refers to the areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River where ancient Huaxia （华夏） people or the Han people lived. Originally, the term Zhongguo （中国） meant both this region and its culture. The Huaxia people established their states along the Yellow River. Believing the areas were located in the center of the world, they called it Zhongguo (the Central Country, as against other areas around it). Later, the term was used to refer to the Central Plains in North China and the states founded in that area. Since modern times, Zhongguo has been used to refer to the entire territory and sovereignty of China.

　　引例1：惠此中国，以绥四方。（《诗经·大雅·民劳》）（要爱护好京师的百姓，以安抚四方诸侯乃至平定天下。）Give benefit to the people in the capital, and reassure and pacify all the feudal dukes and princes in the country. (The Book of Songs)

　　引例2：若能以吴越之众与中国抗衡，不如早与之绝。（《三国志·蜀书·诸葛亮传》）（如果能够以江东的兵力与中原抗衡，那就不如趁早与他们断绝交往。） If the areas of Wu and Yue (under the control of Sun Quan) could stand up to confront the central region (under the control of Cao Cao), the former should better cut ties with the latter. (The History of the Three Kingdoms)