Skip to content
Begin learning Chinese at your own paceStart learning
帝国主义 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
帝国主义dìguózhǔyìimperialismHSK 7, unknown, 25 strokes, rank #22033, Very Hard, formal, history, politics
dìguózhǔyì(di4guo2zhu3yi4)di guo zhu yi T4
  1. 1imperialism
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

帝国主义(帝國主義)dìguózhǔyì(di4guo2zhu3yi4)

帝国主义 (dìguózhǔyì) refers to imperialism, a policy or ideology where a country extends its power and influence over other nations or territories, often through military force or colonization. This term is commonly used in political discourse and historical contexts to discuss the expansionist practices of powerful nations.

Strokes25Frequency#22033DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The term 帝国主义 is deeply tied to China's history, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries when foreign powers exerted control over Chinese territories, leading to significant social and political changes.

Memory tip

Imagine an emperor (帝) on a grand throne (国) proclaiming his rule over multiple lands (主义), representing his desire to expand his empire. Visualize the emperor sending out waves of influence, like ripples in water, to capture and control distant lands.

Meanings of 帝国主义

dìguózhǔyì(di4guo2zhu3yi4)
1imperialism
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 帝国主义 means.

About 帝国主义

帝国主义Simplified
帝國主義Traditional
25Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 帝国主义

JasonAmy

Podcast: 帝国主义

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 帝国主义

Quick Contrast

殖民主义 (zhímínzhǔyì) refers specifically to colonialism, which is a form of imperialism focused on the settlement and governance of territories, while 帝国主义 (dìguózhǔyì) encompasses a broader ideology of power expansion.

Usage Notes

Be mindful that 帝国主义 is often used in historical and political discussions, so the tone is generally formal. Common mistakes include using it in casual conversations or misunderstanding it as a neutral term; it carries a significant historical weight.

HSK Study Tips

While 帝国主义 is not specifically listed in HSK materials, it connects to themes of history and politics often discussed at higher levels. Students should focus on related vocabulary such as 侵略 (qīnlüè, invasion) and 殖民 (zhímín, colonization) to enhance their understanding of this concept.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use 帝国主义 in casual discussions, not recognizing its serious connotation. A wrong example would be saying '我喜欢帝国主义的电影' (I like movies about imperialism), which may come off as insensitive. A better phrasing could be '我对有关帝国主义的历史很感兴趣' (I am very interested in the history related to imperialism).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 帝国主义

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

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

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 帝国主义 to You

Let me explain 帝国主义 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 帝国主义 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 帝国主义?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 帝国主义 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component Characters

帝dìemperor
HSK 69 strokes巾
View full entry
国guócountry
HSK 18 strokes囗
View full entry
主zhǔowner
HSK 75 strokes丶
View full entry
义yìjustice
HSK 53 strokes丿
View full entry

How to say imperialism in Chinese

“imperialism” in Chinese is帝国主义dìguózhǔyì

帝国主义 (dìguózhǔyì) refers to imperialism, a policy or ideology where a country extends its power and influence over other nations or territories, often through military force or colonization. This term is commonly used in political discourse and historical contexts to discuss the expansionist practices of powerful nations.

When to use 帝国主义

Be mindful that 帝国主义 is often used in historical and political discussions, so the tone is generally formal. Common mistakes include using it in casual conversations or misunderstanding it as a neutral term; it carries a significant historical weight.

帝国主义 or something close to it

殖民主义 (zhímínzhǔyì) refers specifically to colonialism, which is a form of imperialism focused on the settlement and governance of territories, while 帝国主义 (dìguózhǔyì) encompasses a broader ideology of power expansion.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use 帝国主义 in casual discussions, not recognizing its serious connotation. A wrong example would be saying '我喜欢帝国主义的电影' (I like movies about imperialism), which may come off as insensitive. A better phrasing could be '我对有关帝国主义的历史很感兴趣' (I am very interested in the history related to imperialism).

Write 帝国主义

帝
国
主
义

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 帝国主义?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 帝国主义

It means imperialism, referring to the practice of extending a country's influence and power over others.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 帝国主义?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab