Sun Yat-sen

1 8.4

A Chinese leader who helped end imperial rule and start the republic

proper noun

: Sun Yat-sen

Sun Yat-sen is often called the 'Father of Modern China' for his role in establishing the republic.

Examples

Sun Yat-sen is often referred to as the 'Father of Modern China.'
The mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen in Nanjing is a popular historical site.
During his studies in Hong Kong, Sun Yat-sen developed his revolutionary ideas.
The legacy of Sun Yat-sen continues to influence Chinese politics today.
Sun Yat-sen is often called the 'Father of Modern China' for his role in establishing the republic.
During his studies in Hong Kong, Sun Yat-sen developed his revolutionary ideas.
The mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen in Nanjing is a popular historical site.

Synonyms

Sun Yixian

vsSun Yat-sen

9.6

A Chinese leader who founded the Nationalist Party and became the first president of the Republic of China

is the more common English form of that historical person's name

Surface Forms

Sun Yat-sen main

Morphology

Sun + Yat-sen

This is a proper name referring to a specific historical person, so its meaning (a Chinese statesman and revolutionary) is referential rather than compositional; the constituent parts 'Sun' and 'Yat-sen' do not combine to produce that meaning. Even if a learner knows 'sun' as the celestial body, that knowledge does not indicate the individual's identity or biography, so a B1 learner cannot derive the MWE's meaning from the parts.

Etymology

Sun Yat-sen is the Western spelling of a Chinese leader who helped end the old empire and start a republic. Think of his family name Sun like the sun rising — he helped bring a new 'day' to China, which is why people call him the 'Father of Modern China'.