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際 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
際jìborder, boundary, juncturex, 13 strokes, radical 阝
jì(ji4)ji T4
  1. 1border, boundary, juncture
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March 24, 2026

際jì(ji4)

The character 際 (jì) refers to a border or boundary, especially in the context of places or situations where two different things meet or intersect. It can also indicate a juncture or critical point in time, suggesting moments of change or decision-making.

Strokes13Radical阝
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of boundaries is significant in discussions of personal space and social interactions. The term is often used in philosophical or literary contexts to explore the limits of human experience and emotion.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'ji' (jì) with a 'sea' (the radical '氵') on one side and 'land' (the radical '阝') on the other – this visualizes the meeting point of land and water, representing a boundary. Think of 'jì' as the junction where two different worlds collide.

Meanings of 際

jì(ji4)
1border, boundary, juncture
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 際 means.

About 際

際Simplified
13Strokes
阝Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 際

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Podcast: 際

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AI Study Notes for 際

Quick Contrast

际 (jì) vs 界 (jiè) — use 際 for moments of intersection or juncture, while 界 refers more broadly to boundaries or realms.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 際 (jì) with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. This term is more formal and often used in written contexts, such as in literature or formal speeches. Common collocations include '際遇' (jìyù, fate or circumstances) and '際限' (jìxiàn, limit or boundary).

HSK Study Tips

Though 際 is not in the official HSK levels, it complements words related to boundaries and limits, such as 界 (jiè) for 'boundary' and 限 (xiàn) for 'limit.' Students should focus on recognizing its use in expressions and understanding its nuances.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 際 (jì) with 界 (jiè), which also means boundary but is more commonly used. For example, saying '我想去这个际' (wǒ xiǎng qù zhège jì) is incorrect; it should be '我想去这个界' (wǒ xiǎng qù zhège jiè).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 際

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Etymology of 際

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

Phonosemantic compound. 阝 represents the meaning and 示 represents the sound. Simplified form of 際.

Memory hint

place

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

Origin

際 = 阝 + 祭. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 際

IDS Structure⿰阝祭
際Full character
=
阝yi4
left
祭ji4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 際?

How to say border, boundary, juncture in Chinese

“border, boundary, juncture” in Chinese is際jì

The character 際 (jì) refers to a border or boundary, especially in the context of places or situations where two different things meet or intersect. It can also indicate a juncture or critical point in time, suggesting moments of change or decision-making.

When to use 際

Be careful not to confuse 際 (jì) with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. This term is more formal and often used in written contexts, such as in literature or formal speeches. Common collocations include '際遇' (jìyù, fate or circumstances) and '際限' (jìxiàn, limit or boundary).

際 or something close to it

际 (jì) vs 界 (jiè) — use 際 for moments of intersection or juncture, while 界 refers more broadly to boundaries or realms.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 際 (jì) with 界 (jiè), which also means boundary but is more commonly used. For example, saying '我想去这个际' (wǒ xiǎng qù zhège jì) is incorrect; it should be '我想去这个界' (wǒ xiǎng qù zhège jiè).

Write 際

際

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

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Word Family of 際

Words containing this character20
实际上shíjìshàngin fact實際上
国际guójìinternational國際
实际shíjìreality實際
之际zhījìduring之際
星际interstellar星際
际jìborder際
国际化to internationalize國際化
交际jiāojìcommunication交際
人际关系interpersonal relationship人際關系
不切实际unrealistic不切實際
交际舞social dance交際舞
国际象棋chess國際象棋
国际贸易international trade國際貿易
人际interpersonal人際
洲际intercontinental洲際
国际性international國際性
天际horizon天際
国际法international law國際法
边际limit邊際
一望无际as far as the eye can see (idiom)一望無際
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 際

What does 实际上 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 際

Common phrases include '際遇' (jìyù, fate) and '際限' (jìxiàn, boundary).

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