小康 xiǎokāng Xiaokang, a Confucian near-ideal state of society, second only to Datong 大同
Xiaokang, a Confucian near-ideal state of society, second only to Datong 大同; moderately affluent; well-off; a period of peace and prosperity
How to remember 小康: 小 small + 康 health = Xiaokang, a Confucian near-ideal state of society, second only to Datong 大同.
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How it is used
- A moderately well-off, comfortable standard of living - 小康家庭 (xiǎokāng jiātíng) a middle-class/comfortable household; 全面建成小康社会 (a 'moderately prosperous society').
- A culturally loaded term (Confucian ideal, now a political goal) meaning 'enough and comfortable,' one notch below 富裕 (affluent).
- Signals security and comfort, not luxury.