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境 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
jìngborderHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Hard
jìngplaceHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Hard
jìngconditionHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Hard
jìngboundaryHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Hard
jìngcircumstancesHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Hard
jìngterritoryHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Hard
jìngboundary, frontier; area, regionHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Hard
jìng(jing4) T4
  1. 1border
  2. 2place
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
jìng(jing4)

The character 境 (jìng) primarily refers to a boundary or border, indicating the limits of a physical space or condition. It can also convey a sense of circumstances or situations, often used in contexts involving personal or environmental boundaries.

Strokes14RadicalFrequency#15651DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The concept of boundaries is significant in Chinese culture, often relating to personal space and social etiquette. In historical contexts, 境 can also refer to territorial limits that define ancient states and their governance.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'JINGling' bell marking the edge of a territory. The structure of 境 shows a fence (the outer part) enclosing a space, representing a boundary or border. Visualize standing at the edge of a beautiful landscape, symbolizing your personal '境' or condition.

Meanings of 境

jìng(jing4)
1border
2place
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 境

Simplified
14Strokes
Radical
处所词locative noun (loc.)Part of Speech
#15651Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3

Podcast: 境

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 境

Quick Contrast

界 (jiè) refers to a boundary or realm, but is often used in contexts of categorization or classification, while 境 (jìng) emphasizes the physical or situational limits.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'JINGling' bell marking the edge of a territory. The structure of 境 shows a fence (the outer part) enclosing a space, representing a boundary or border. Visualize standing at the edge of a beautiful landscape, symbolizing your personal '境' or condition.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with context; 境 can imply both physical borders and abstract conditions, so ensure clarity in usage. It's more formal than informal terms for boundaries, like 线 (xiàn). Common phrases include 境界 (jìngjiè) for 'boundary' and 情境 (qíngjìng) for 'situation'.

HSK Study Tips

While 境 is not an HSK level word, it connects well with HSK 3-4 vocabulary about places and conditions. Focus on using it in compound words to understand its broader meanings in context.

Cultural Note

The concept of boundaries is significant in Chinese culture, often relating to personal space and social etiquette. In historical contexts, 境 can also refer to territorial limits that define ancient states and their governance.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 境 with 线 (xiàn), leading to errors like saying 境 for a simple line or limit. Remember, 境 conveys a more complex idea of boundaries and conditions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 境

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Etymology of 境

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 竟 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

earth

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 境?

Decomposition of 境

IDS Structure⿰土竟
Full Character
=
Tu3
left
jing4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 境?

Write 境

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 境

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

我读了几本关于环____保护的书。

I read several books about environmental protection.

Common Confusions with 境

vs
jǐng

Similar phonetics, but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "border"?

or

Example Sentences for 境 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
洛杉矶穷人的境况仍未得到改善。

luò shān jī qióng rén de jìng kuàng réng wèi dé dào gǎi shàn。

Conditions for the poor in Los Angeles have not improved.
2
保持办公环境的整洁,尤其是你的桌子。

bǎo chí bàn gōng huán jìng de zhěng jié, , yóu qí shì nǐ de zhuō。

Keep your office space looking good, particularly your desk.
3
这家航空公司亏损达3,500万美元,而澳航出资帮助其摆脱了困境。

zhè jiā háng kōng gōng sī kuī sǔn dá3,500 3,500 wàn měi, yuán , ér ào háng chū zī bāng zhù qí bǎi tuō le。

The airline had losses of $35m and was bailed out by Qantas.
4
你不得不承认,你事实上是陷入了困境。

nǐ bù dé bù chéng rèn, , nǐ shì shí shàng shì xiàn rù le kùn。

You have to admit that you are, in fact, in difficulties.
5
该国的经济困境阻碍了其科研机构的工作进展。

gāi guó de jīng jì kùn jìng zǔ ài le qí kē yán jī gòu de gōng zuò jìn zhǎn。

The country's economic plight is strangling its scientific institutions.
6
旅客通过入境检查后领取了自己的行李。

lǚ kè tōng guò rù jìng jiǎn chá hòu lǐng qǔ le zì jǐ de háng lǐ。

The passengers went through immigration control and collected their baggage.
7
他们已经入境该国,并申请了永久居留权。

tā mén yǐ jīng rù jìng gāi guó, , bìng shēn qǐng le yǒng jiǔ jū liú。

They had entered the country and had applied for permanent residence.
8
我们陷入了难以言表的糟糕处境。

wǒ mén xiàn rù le nán yǐ yán biǎo de zāo gāo chǔ jìng。

We were in a disaster situation that defies description.
9
英国铁路公司遭受了4,500万英镑的巨额损失后境况更加惨淡。

yīng guó tiě lù gōng sī zāo shòu le4,500 4,500 wàn yīng bàng de jù é sǔn shī hòu jìng kuàng gēng jiā cǎn。

The gloom deepened after a thumping £45m loss at British Rail.
10
这势必让我更加下定决心融入周围环境。

zhè shì bì ràng wǒ gēng jiā xià dìng jué xīn róng rù zhōu wéi huán jìng。

It must have reinforced my determination to blend into my surroundings.

Cultural Notes for 境

💡Did you know?

‘境’字的构成与大地有关,表示一个地方的边界或环境,反映出中国文化中对自然环境的重视。

🏮Cultural insight

The concept of boundaries is significant in Chinese culture, often relating to personal space and social etiquette. In historical contexts, 境 can also refer to territorial limits that define ancient states and their governance.

Word Family of 境

Words Containing This Character20
环境huánjìngenvironment環境
处境chǔjìngsituation (of a person)處境
困境kùnjìngplight
边境biānjìngfrontier邊境
jìngborder
境内jìngnèidomestic境內
境界jìngjièboundary
境地jìngdìcircumstances
梦境dreamland夢境
出境chūjìngemigration
险境danger zone險境
入境rùjìngimmigration
环境保护environmental protection環境保護
仙境fairyland
境况circumstances境況
心境mood
逆境adversity
绝境desperate straits絕境
意境creative concept
境遇jìngyùcircumstance
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 环境 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 境

Some common phrases that include 境 (jìng) are '境界' (jìngjiè), meaning 'realm' or 'boundary,' and '境况' (jìngkuàng), which refers to 'circumstances.' These phrases highlight the versatility of the character in describing both physical and situational boundaries.