se5 zik1社稷

Jyutpingse5 zik1

Yaleséh jīk

名詞

Definition

The state or country.

literarythe state; the country
archaicthe gods of soil and grain

writtenother

How it's used

Originally referring to the gods of soil and grain, this term is now exclusively used in formal, literary, or historical contexts to represent the state or nation. It carries a heavy, solemn weight that implies a sense of duty or destiny, making it sound out of place in casual daily conversation. You will most often encounter it in period dramas, political rhetoric, or when discussing the rise and fall of dynasties.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋wai6為zo2咗se5社zik1稷，zan1真hai6係fu6付ceot1出hou2好do1多。

They have truly sacrificed a lot for the sake of the country.

ni1呢go3個kyut3決ding6定wui2會m4唔wui2會jing2影hoeng2響se5社zik1稷on1安ngai4危aa1呀？

Will this decision affect the safety and stability of the nation?

Common phrases

gong1江saan1山se5社zik1稷

the nation and its territory

se5社zik1稷zi1之san4臣

a minister loyal to the state

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use this in place of everyday words like 國家 or 香港, which sounds overly dramatic or archaic. It is not a standard term for a modern country in a geographical or administrative sense.